National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Photo: Huge New Palm Found -- "Flowers Itself to Death"


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This new species of palm, found recently in northwestern Madagascar, goes out with a bang.

Once fully grown, the giant Tahina spectabilis produces a vibrant display of flowers—an act that depletes its nutrients and sparks a slow death.

The apparently rare palm lives in areas where habitat has already been degraded, making conservation a priority, scientists say.

Photograph courtesy John Dransfield