THE COCO DE MER The coco de mer palm is surrounded by myths and legends. This is partly because the strange bi-lobed nuts were discovered long before the palm itself and partly because of the suggestive shapes of both male and female structures which occur on separate coco de mer palms. Unfortunately even the 'facts' about this unique and slow growing palm are not backed up by properly recorded scientific research, so there are numerous discrepancies in the biological statistics quoted. The situation is slowly being rectified as a research programme develops under the management of the Seychelles islands foundation. Bearing in mind, also, that in nature there is always variation, depending on the genetic potential and environmental conditions, approximate figured only are given here. They still give an impressive picture of this ancient and remarkable palm. There are male and female coco de mer palms. Male palms grow to about 30m high, female palm produces the largest seed in the world; it can weigh more than 20 kg. The seed is inside a husk and the fruit takes 6 to 7 years to ripen. After germination, the first leaf appears about one year later. In vallee de Mai, leaves of young coco de mer palms is about 15 years. It reaches maturity between 20 to 40 years. Female trees may carry very heavy loads of nuts. Coco de mer palms probably live for between 200 to 400 years. EXPLORING VALLE DE MAI The paths are well made and kept clear. There are few steep gradients or long flights of steps and they are shown on the map which is available in the brochure provided at the visitor centre or the Seychelles Island Foundation office in Victoria. Signposts indicate direction at all path intersections. Markers post at the side of the path indicate sites of interest. Each is labelled with a letter of the alphabet, corresponding to the lettered circle on the map and the lettered sections in the text. Additional features are described on small information boards along side the paths.
The treasures of Vallee de Mai are visible from the paths, so use your eyes and ears to discover them. Seasonal variations occurred in flowering and fruiting of some plants and the activity of certain animals. On the Northern shelter there is a viewpoint where you can have a bird's eye view of the area. The waterfall can be seen from the main road, 0.5 KM south west from the visitor centre.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE Initiated by UNESCO in 1972, the World Heritage Convention set out to list natural and cultural sites throughout the world, which are of exceptional significance and universal value to all mankind. By creating the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, the Convention has been able to bring greater recognition to many valuable sites and ensure a commitment to conservation for future generations. Vallee de Mai, with its unique and ancient coco de mer palm forest, was added to the list in 1983. SEYCHELLES ISLANDS FOUNDATION Seychelles islands foundation was established in 1979 to manage and conserve the natural life on Aldabra. In 1989 the management of Vallee de Mai was transferred to Seychelles islands foundation so that the same body could administer both of Seychelles' World Heritage Sites. Vallee de Mai entrance fee contribute significantly to the research, conservation and maintenance costs of the two sites. Pants found in the Valle de Mai - Coco De Mer (Lodoicea maldivica)
Other endemic palms - Latannyen Lat (Vershaffeltia splendida)
- Latannyen Fey (Phoenicophorium borsigianum)
- Palmis (Deckenia nobillis)
- Latannyen Milpat (Nephrosperma vanhoutteanum)
Endemic pandans or screw pines - Horne's Pandanus (Pandanus hornei)
- Seychelles Pandanus (Pandanus sechellarum)
- Many-spined Pandanus (Pandanus multispicatus)
Other plants - Jack fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus )
- Bwa Rouz (Dillenia ferruginea)
- Kapisen (Northea hornei)
- Pti Koko Maron (Hypoxidia rhizophylla)
- Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
- Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)
- Philodendron (Philodendron sp. )
- Kapiler (Phymatodes scolopendria)
Endemic Birds found in the Valle de Mai - Bulbul (Hypsipetes crassirostris)
- Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra barklyi)
- Krestel (Falco araea)
- Swiftlet (Collocalia francica)
- Sunbird (Nectarinia dussumieri)
- Blue pigeon (Alectroenas pulcherrima)
Mammals found in the Valle de Mai - Fruit Bat (Pteropus seychellensis)
- Tenrec (Tenrec ecaudatus)
Reptiles and Amphibia found in the Valle de Mai - Green Gecko (Phelsuma spp.)
- Bonze Eyed Gecko (Aeluronyx sechellensis)
- Tree Frog (Tachycnemis seychellensis)
- Seychelles Skink (Mabuya sechellensis)
Invertebrates found in the Valle de Mai - Large Snail (stylodonta studeriana)
- Praslin Snail (Pachnodus pralines)
- White Slug (Vaginula seychellensis)
- Freshwater Crab (Sesarma impressum)
Opening hours Daily form 08.00 to 17.30 Visitor Centre Located at the Vallee de Mai car park.
Facilities available: Toilets, refreshments, souvenir shop, public telephone, information centre, and office. Entry tickets are obtained at the office.
How to find your way around A map forms the centre pages of a 'welcome to Vallee de Mai' leaflet. Routes, distances and approximate times are given below the map. Text prepared for Seychelles Island Foundation by K.Beaver | 
