Double Coconut Tree

              On a recent trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory I came across The Double Coconut Tree (Lodoicea maldivica) which isn't really even considered a Coconut tree. it is Extremely rare, and can Primarily be found in 2 of the 115 Seychelles Islands, which are on the South coast of Africa. Often called Coco de mer because the seed was often found floating in the sea by explorers. The double Coconut tree has male and female plants, and cannot be germinated without the other. It is said that The fruit of the tree is very sweet and jelly like, as opposed to a regular coconut which is firm. The germination of this seed is said to be difficult taking anywhere from a few months to a few years. The Leaves of the palm are also fan shaped as opposed to the regular coconut tree. The tree itself can grow up to 150 feet, but the most fascinating thing about this plant has to be the seed, weighing up to 50 lbs, being the "largest seed in the plant kingdom".

Garfield Park Conservatory

About a week ago, Carolina and I decided to take a trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory. We had never been and decided that taking her niece would also be a fun experience. She loved it!!! When we arrived at the entrance she was given a sheet that was very interactive, almost like a scavenger hunt..she just wanted the stickers that came along with it...She could not wait to see the chocolate tree,

 unfortunately there weren't any pods, but that didn't deter her, we moved right along. She loved all the little paths and ponds and really enjoyed the fish, and turtles.

 Next up came the Banana tree, which she didn't really grasp, most likely because they weren't ripe, and because there was so much going on..

To our surprise She actually had given thought into this scavenger hunt and was finding some of the things all by her self!  Finding the Double Coconut Tree seed all by herself.  Amazing by the way..being the largest seed in the planet, weighing up to 50 lbs.

She then took us on a hunt for the Orange tree,

 which happened to be in the children's section where there is a slide and somewhat of a play pen, for lack of a better word. So she didn't really pay any attention to the tree because the tunnel slide kept calling her name.

She had a great time and so did we. Can't wait to go again..and neither can she..just this Friday she asked if we could go again..