Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera has been cultivated and utilized for so long in virtually every tropical location in the world that it's true place of origin is a topic for speculation. The most widely accepted location is undoubtably the islands of the South Pacific.

DESCRIPTION

As the trademark of the tropics, and a toy of the tradewinds, the revered Coconut needs no introduction or description. It may be the most photographed tree in the world, and is certainly the palm recognized above all others. Despite it's solo status in this monotypic genus, it has countless variations, but is always easily recognized by everyone the world over as the Coco Palm.

CULTURE

While truly tropical in nature, the Coconut has been tried and coddled in many climates due to it's popularity and availablity. Many tales, bordering on folklore, exist as to the extent it's accepted boundaries have been pushed. While some of these are true, and a few Coco Palms exist outside of the tropics, it has proven to be more a "labor of love" than a "claim to fame."

CURIOSITIES

Few plants on earth can claim to have assisted men more during the early development of mankind. Every part of the tree was used, in ways too many to list, and it may have played an indispensible role in early man's ability to survive in the tropics. Because the seeds can float for long distances in ocean waters, and sprout on the salty shores in sterile sand with rapid growth, it was present in the large numbers necessary to provide the basics for human life on otherwise barren islands.