A coco de mer plant has started sprouting in Chicago, United States of America according to reports published on the WICS ABC Newschannel 20 News website.

The coco de mer seed has started to sprout in a Chicago greenhouse

The article entitled ‘Rare palm tree sprouting at Chicago greenhouse’ says that the “Chicago greenhouse is celebrating its success in sprouting a rare palm tree that could someday reach the height of a six-storey building”.

It adds that the Garfield Park Conservatory announced last Friday its staff has sprouted a double coconut palm from a difficult-to-obtain seed. The palm is native to two places in the world, both of which are in the Seychelles islands.

Last year, a 45-year-old double coconut palm died at the conservatory. It took six months to obtain the 20-pound seed. The conservatory staff consulted with experts and planted it using a heating coil to keep the soil at 90 degrees. The shoot now is about 6 inches tall and is growing one centimetre a day.

It's planted under the tallest part of the 65-foot roof, so it has room to grow.

Forrás: www.nation.sc