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(Cocos nucifera)
Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera)
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Roland Law
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Roland Law
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Roland Law | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Roland Law | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-04-03T09:30:44-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cocos nucifera, commonly known as Coconut Palm, is an evergreen tree native to tropical coastal areas, sandy beaches, and saline soils where it plays a crucial role in the ecology of coastal and island ecosystems. The native range of this species is Central Malesia to SW. Pacific. It is a distinctive palm, growing up to 30 m (100 ft) tall with a slender, ringed trunk and a graceful crown of arching fronds. The coconut palm is known for its large, edible seeds called coconuts, which are surrounded by a fibrous husk and have a hard shell containing the edible seed meat and coconut water. The tree is monoecious with both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence; flowering occurs continuously, with fruit taking about a year to mature.
Coconut Palms are valued for their ability to produce a multitude of products, including food, oil, coir fiber, and building materials. They are often grown in tropical regions for their ornamental appearance and economic importance. In cultivation, they require full sun and well-drained sandy soils, tolerating saline conditions well. They are drought-tolerant once established but do require regular watering during the early growth stages. Coconut Palms are susceptible to lethal yellowing disease and should be monitored for pests such as coconut mites. Due to their potential for invasiveness, caution should be exercised when planting Coconut Palms outside their native range, especially in places like Florida where they can disrupt local ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Coconut Palms are valued for their ability to produce a multitude of products, including food, oil, coir fiber, and building materials. They are often grown in tropical regions for their ornamental appearance and economic importance. In cultivation, they require full sun and well-drained sandy soils, tolerating saline conditions well. They are drought-tolerant once established but do require regular watering during the early growth stages. Coconut Palms are susceptible to lethal yellowing disease and should be monitored for pests such as coconut mites. Due to their potential for invasiveness, caution should be exercised when planting Coconut Palms outside their native range, especially in places like Florida where they can disrupt local ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Trees
- Height: 50-100 feet
- Width: 20-40 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Tropical coastal areas, sandy beaches, and saline soils
Other Names
Common Names: Coconut Tree , Coconut , Copra , Kokosnuß , Kokospalme , Cocotero , Cocotier , Coqueiro , Coco , Coco-Verde
Scientific Names: Cocos nucifera , Cocos nucifera var. eburnea , Diplothemium henryanum , Calappa nucifera , Cocos indica , Cocos mamillaris , Cocos nana , Cocos nucifera subsp. synphyllica , Cocos nucifera var. alangan , Cocos nucifera var. alba
GBIF Accepted Name: Cocos nucifera L.