History Of The Coconut Tree

The coconut tree is a large and tall palm that exhibits a height of approximately 30 m. The tree has pinnate leaves, each growing to a size of around 6 m, with pinnae approximately 90 cm long. The palm bears polygamomonoecious flowers, where both male and female flowers blossom within the same inflorescence. The palm displays both, cross-pollination, as well as self-pollination. The fruit borne is edible and the water within the kernel-encasing is sweet.

History of the Coconut Tree:

The coconut palm is botanically referred to as the 'Cocos nucifera'. It is a member of the Arecaceae or palm family. In fact, the coconut palm is the only member of the genus Cocos. The palm thrives in the tropical regions and is a major trade component due to its various decorative, culinary and other non-culinary uses. Interestingly, every part of the coconut palm is put to some use or the other. Native to the tropics, the palm has now found its way across the continents, with the help of the dedicated efforts of seafarers. The palm bears fruit that is light and buoyant and hence, does not rule out the possibility of finding its own course across the globe with the help of marine currents.

The coconut palm can be found as far as Norway in the north, where the people have for centuries ensured that the seed germinates under the right, 'created' conditions. It is believed that the fruit and palm made their way into Hawaii on account of the deliberate efforts made by Polynesian voyagers. The name 'coconut', it is believed, was awarded to the palm and fruit by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. The name was derived from the Iberian 'El Coco', which referred to a mythical hairy monster. The kernel and hair around the fruit probably generated the connection. The suffix 'nut' was added to refer to the seed-bearing palm, as most other tree seeds are referred to in the English language. The name stuck, and today the whole world benefits from the presence of the palm and fruit.

History of Coconuts:

The coconut fruit and palm are believed to have their roots on South Asian soil. Research reveals that the palm is native to the Ganges Delta, in Asia. There are a number of studies that also claim that the fruit has its origin in the northwestern region of South America. There are a number of fossil records that are being researched upon. Some of the fossils found in New Zealand are indicative of the fact that the palm thrived along the New Zealand coast as far back as 15 million years ago. In Asia, research reveals that the fossils unearthed in Kerala, the 'Land of Coconut Palm', are much older. However, the fossils found in Khulna, Bangladesh, are recognized as the oldest. The fruit has a special mention in the Mahawamsa texts of Sri Lanka too, dating back to the 1st century BC.

Ideal Climatic Conditions:

The coconut palm basically thrives in the world's tropical regions. The coconut palm requires warm climatic conditions for successful growth. The natural conditions that best suit the growth of the coconut palm are:

• Sandy soil, with a high salinity tolerance.
• Abundant sunlight, with a mean annual temperature of 27°C.
• Regular rainfall of approximately 150 - 200 cm, annually.
• High humidity.
• Absence of an overhead 'canopy' growth.

General 'Coconut' Information:

The coconut palm is very susceptible to 'lethal yellowing', a phytoplasma disease. The fruit and palm are also threatened by eriophyid mites. The fruit is a favorite food plant of Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) larvae. The coconut leaf beetle feeds on the tender leaves, damaging the seedlings.

Hawaii and Florida are the only two states in the U.S. where coconut palm can be grown. An occasional palm is sighted in certain micro-climates like those observed in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater region, in and around Cape Canaveral and Orlando-Kissimmee-Daytona Beach, Rio Grande Valley and Galveston Island.

Today, the Philippines is recognized as the leading nation in the world for coconut production. All over Asia, the tree is revered for its tender coconut water, dried fruit and oil, coconut cake, a number of shell-based products and the coir pith.