Protarum sechellarum

Protarum sechellarum is a herbaceous geophytic plant, reaching up to 40–50 cm (16–20 in) in height and growing from a globe-shaped tuber which is light brown outside and reddish inside. Tubers are about 12 cm (4.7 in) in length & 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter and have numerous, tightly clustered annular leaf scars. It is seasonally dormant. It grows only a single pedatisect to radiatisect leaf of up to 80 cm (31 in) in diameter, with between 5 - 11 leaflets. Leaflets are narrow and elliptic with a prominent midrib, tapering to a slender point. The leaflets are 25–40 cm (9.8–15.7 in) in length and 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in) in width and typically uniformly dark green, although juvenile leaves may have striking, pinkish and silver coloration. Flowering has been observed in October, March, and April, and is reportedly infrequent, possibly occurring once every one to two years. The single, unisexual flower may appear before or along with the leaf. It is borne on a short peduncle and consists of a spathe, 13–18 cm (5.1–7.1 in), which is grayish-green and becomes purple or red towards the base. Contained within the spathe is a single spadix, 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in), with female flowers at the base and male flowers in the middle. …

It is endemic to humid montane forests of the Seychelles Islands, being found on Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin at elevations of 400–900 m (1,300–3,000 ft). It occurs as scattered groups of individuals, and is not common but can be locally abundant where conditions are favorable. Protarum sechellarum possibly represents an ancient lineage of Aroideae which diverged from an ancestor originating in the Tethys region. It may have diverged and survived on the Seychelles Islands before their isolation from Madagascar and India some 85-90 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous, or it may have reached the Seychelles Islands after their separation from the Indian Plate approximately 70 million years ago via overseas dispersal from Africa or Madagascar.

Protarum sechellarum grows in shaded areas of humid, warm mist forest, palm forest, or moss forest in humus-rich soil or among leaf litter in crevices of large, granitic rocks. It is often found in mossy pockets between rocks or boulders which have filled in with humus. Although it prefers shade, it can also be found in open sections of forest with more sun exposure. It is not considered to be well-adapted for long-distance dispersal. Little is known about Protarum sechellarum's ecology and life history. It is often associated with palms, and it has been found in palm forest alongside sea coconut (Lodoicea maldivica), Roscheria melanochaetes, thief palm (Phoenicophorium borsigianum), capucin (Northia seychellana), Dillenia ferruginea, Aphloia theiformis, Polyscias crassa, and Psychotria pervillei. Near the summit of Morne Blanc, despite the invasive Ceylon cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum verum) being heavily present, Protarum sechellarum has been found growing alongside other native species such as Curculigo sechellensis. The larva of Hippotion eson, an Afrotropical hawkmoth in family Sphingidae, have been found on Protarum sechellarum, and are known to utilize it as a food source and host plant.