Collection of Australian seeds

Containing about 35 different species, ranging from 1-dozens per lot, in total more than 110 specimens. Containing 2 different species of Banksia seeds.

Unique aesthetic collection, highly decorative and interesting.

Price: 150 euro.

Info by e-mail.

Lodoicea maldivensis giant coco-de-mer
The largest single seed known to man comes from the legendary sea coco nut or "female bum-coconut as in French coco-de-fez", endemic to the Seychelle Island of Praslin. Excellent decorative piece for natural history cabinet.
Locally, the population on Praslin is estimated on less than 5000 trees. Some can be seen in the botanical garden on the main island Mahé. The seeds of this 'living fossil' are known to grow to as large as 400 mm and have a weight of 15 kg (30 pounds). The shape, size and hairy cover of the nut have, since its dicovery by western explorers, always had a certain degree of erotic appeal to the admirer as it resembled the shape of a young women's behind bent over.

The origin of its name is rather mythical. The tree was first discovered in the 18th century but the nuts where known long before then in India, where they occasionally washed upon the shore. The nuts were reserved for the royalty of the time. As there were no such trees on the Indian Peninisula, local people believed that this seed came from a magical tree living under water, hence its name: sea coconut. The first nut that arrived in Europe was in 1602 where it was bought for 4000 golden florins by the Habsburg King Rudolf II who was famous for his occultisme and extreme large and well known curiosity cabinet. The trees were first discovered by Barré, a member of a French expedition in 1768 to the Seychelles and thus solved its mysterious origin. The expedition on return filled the hull of ship with these nuts and sold them in Indian ports, immediately crashing the local market for them.

The trees are locally well protected and the collecting and harvest of the nuts are stricktly regulated. For export, these nuts require a numbered export seal which is attached to the side of the nut. Once mounted, these nuts are a magnicifent centrepiece of decoation and wonder. This nut comes with its original seal of export.

SOLD. Ask for availability by e-mail.

Banksia oblongifolia giant seed pod
Large seed pod of the Australian native plant Banksia oblongifolia mounted on a stand. Excellent decorative pieces on a table or natural history cabinet.
Banksia is a genus of about 75 species in the Protea-family (Proteaceae). All species occur in Australia with one ( B. dentata ) extending to islands to Australia's north. Banksias inhabit the tropics, sub-alpine areas, the coast and desert areas. The most diversity in the genus occurs in the south of Western Australia where over 80% of the species occur. Paleontological evidence suggests that banksias or Banksia-like plants have existed for over 40 million years. The first humans to discover and make use of Banksia plants were the Australian aboriginals who used the nectar from the flowers as part of their diet. The first Europeans to observe Banksias were probably Dutch explorers who made several landfalls along the West Australian coast during the 17th and 18th centuries. No botanical collections were made, however, until the discovery of the east coast of Australia by Captain James Cook in the Endeavour in April 1770. Accompanying Cook were botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander who collected many new species at Botany Bay including four which would later be included in a new genus, Banksia , named in honour of Joseph Banks' contribution to botany. The four species collected were B. serrata, B. ericifolia, B. integrifolia and B. robur . Later, on the same voyage, Banks and Solander collected a fifth species ( B. dentata ) on the north Queensland coast.
Seed pods are 250 mm in height on average. Price, including VAT: 45 euro.
Postage and handling not included. Minimum order of 5 pieces. Info and order by e-mail.