BEIJING, Jan. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A new species of palm tree was discovered on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, botanists said Thursday.

    The tree was said to bloom once every 100 years and then die. There appear to be only about 100 of such palms in existence.

    It can be mistaken for other types of palm when it does not flower, according to Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, a botanist working for the London botanical gardens in Madagascar.

    But when it flowers, it makes a large shoot on the top and spreads like an asparagus, and the branches of its shoot grow covered with tiny white flowers that ooze with nectar.

    The palm will collapse and die as a result of its efforts of flowering and fruiting within a few months, said botanist Dr. John Dransfield, author of the study.

    The spectacular flowering ritual was first discovered by Frenchman Xavier Metz, who runs a cashew plantation nearby. He soon notified scientists of Kew Gardens.

    Dransfield wondered how botanists had missed such a "whopping palm" until now as it is the largest palm species in Madagascar.

    He suggested the plant has been quietly living and dramatically dying in Madagascar since the island split with mainland India 80 million years ago.

    (Agencies)