The Seychelles’ islands host a surprising variety of plant life shaped by isolation, coral soils and a humid tropical climate. Walks through coastal scrub, cloud-forested peaks and palm-filled valleys reveal flowers you won’t see anywhere else and a few that were brought in over centuries of travel.
There are 15 Flowers of the Seychelles, ranging from Coco de Mer to Thief palm. For each entry I list Scientific name,Endemic status,Where found (habitat/islands); you’ll find below.
How can I tell which species are endemic to the Seychelles?
Check the Endemic status column and the Where found (habitat/islands) notes — endemic species are recorded only on Seychelles islands and often tied to specific habitats (e.g., Vallée de Mai for Coco de Mer). Local conservation lists and herbarium records are good cross-checks.
When is the best time to see these flowers in bloom?
Bloom times vary: some tropical species flower year-round, while others peak in the wetter months (roughly November–March). For a reliable visit plan, look at the species’ habitat notes below and target reserves like national parks where flowering tends to be most visible.
Flowers of the Seychelles
| Name | Scientific name | Endemic status | Where found (habitat/islands) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco de Mer | Lodoicea maldivica | Endemic | Lowland palm forest; Praslin,Curieuse |
| Jellyfish tree | Medusagyne oppositifolia | Endemic | Humid forest fragments; Silhouette,Mahé pockets |
| Deckenia palm | Deckenia nobilis | Endemic | Steep slopes and coastal forest; Mahé,Silhouette |
| Thief palm | Phoenicophorum borsigianum | Endemic | Lowland forest understory; Mahé,Praslin |
| Nephrosperma palm | Nephrosperma vanhoutteanum | Endemic | Coastal and lowland forest; Mahé,Praslin,Silhouette |
| Seychelles screwpine | Pandanus sechellarum | Endemic | Coastal rocks and forests; many inner islands |
| Takamaka | Calophyllum inophyllum | Native | Coastal forest and beach fronts; all main islands |
| Sea hibiscus | Hibiscus tiliaceus | Native | Beach and lagoon fringe; widespread islands |
| Pisonia | Pisonia grandis | Native | Coastal forests and coral islets; Aldabra,outer islands |
| Naupaka (beach fanflower) | Scaevola taccada | Native | Dunes and beach scrub; widespread islands |
| Coconut palm | Cocos nucifera | Introduced | Beaches and plantations; all islands |
| Frangipani | Plumeria rubra | Introduced | Villages,gardens; naturalised locally |
| Indian almond | Terminalia catappa | Introduced | Shaded beach trees; major islands |
| Noni | Morinda citrifolia | Introduced | Coastal scrub and disturbed ground; widespread |
| Limeberry | Diospyros egrettarum | Endemic | Coastal scrub and woodland; Mahé,Praslin,Silhouette |
Images and Descriptions
Coco de Mer
Iconic double-lobed seed palm with enormous fruits and inconspicuous flowers. Female and male inflorescences appear separately; fruit takes years to mature. Best seen in Vallée de Mai and Curieuse; legally protected and a symbol of Seychelles ecology.
Jellyfish tree
Rare, enigmatic tree with pendant, jellyfish-like fruiting bodies and small white flowers. Critically endangered and extremely localised; flowering is irregular. Visit conservation sites on Silhouette with guides to see remaining wild specimens and learn recovery efforts.
Deckenia palm
Stately palm with clustered trunks and slender pinnate leaves, producing tubular flowers and small fruits. Prefers granite slopes and sheltered valleys; look for it in Mahé’s southern reserves and Silhouette’s woodland trails.
Thief palm
Small, solitary palm with graceful crowns and inconspicuous flowers hidden under fronds. Named for its fleshy fruits eaten by animals; common in native forest patches on Mahé and Praslin, visible along shaded trails.
Nephrosperma palm
Robust, single-stemmed palm with large pinnate leaves and clusters of small flowers. Occurs near coasts and in moist forests; look for it on lower slopes and coastal reserves across major granitic islands.
Seychelles screwpine
A low to medium screwpine with spirally arranged leaves and pineapple-like fruit clusters. Flowers are small and concealed; fruiting spikes are distinctive. Common on rocky shores and coastal forest margins of many islands.
Takamaka
Large evergreen tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers in clusters. Blooms most months, attracting insects. Often frames beaches and village coasts; used historically for timber and oil extraction.
Sea hibiscus
Small tree with heart-shaped leaves and yellow to orange hibiscus flowers that open daily. Blooms year-round in warm months; common on shorelines and perfect for easy beachside spotting.
Pisonia
Fast-growing tree with sticky seeds and clusters of small white flowers. Important seabird nesting tree; seeds cling to birds. Best seen on outer coral islands and bird colonies like Aldabra and some smaller islets.
Naupaka (beach fanflower)
Low sprawling shrub with distinctive half-flowers (fan-shaped) and white blooms. Extremely salt-tolerant and common on coastal dunes; blooms most of the year and stabilises shorelines.
Coconut palm
Ubiquitous beach palm with pinnate fronds, small inconspicuous flowers and familiar coconuts. Naturalised for centuries; flowers year-round in warm conditions. An essential beach sight and useful food and material source.
Frangipani
Fragrant, waxy flowers in red, pink, white or yellow clusters; blooms mainly in warm months. Widely planted around homes and resorts and often seen naturalised near settlements; great for scent and photography.
Indian almond
Large spreading tree with tiered branches and showy yellow-red autumn foliage; small cream flowers. Common along beaches and roadside plantations; provides excellent shade and seasonal color.
Noni
Tough shrub with glossy leaves and clusters of small tubular white flowers yielding pungent fruits. Widely naturalised and used locally for traditional remedies; flowers year-round in sheltered spots.
Limeberry
Small ebony tree with creamy flowers and fleshy fruits eaten by birds. Endemic and locally important in native coastal forest remnants; best seen in protected reserves and smaller island woodlands.
