Artificial Pollination and Fruit Set in Double Coconut Growing in India

The double-coconut palm [Lodoicea maldivica (J.F. Gmel.) Pers. (family: Arecaceae)] of Seychelles is one of the most interesting plant species of the world. The seed of this palm resembles two coconuts fused together; hence the name 'double coconut' (Figure 1 a). The pollination mechanism in double coconut remains unclear, with a prevalent popular belief that the species is wind-pollinated. In staminate (male) flowers, nectaries are situated on the margins of the bract.