What is "phoenicophorium"

Phoenicophorium, thief palm, or latanier palm, is a monotypic genus of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. The sole species is Phoenicophorium borsigianum.

It is endemic to the Seychelles, being is fairly widespread on the larger islands of the group, such as Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin, and La Digue.

It is found in forests, but is one of only a few native plants in the Seychelles that can colonise dry and eroded areas, as it is capable of withstanding full sunlight and periods of drought.

A palm growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1857 was stolen, giving rise to the common name of 'thief palm'.