Cocos nucifera L.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a palm 10-14 meters tall of the Arecaceae family, whose origin remains debated—some point to the Andes Valley in Colombia, South America, while others believe it is native to South Asia or the Western Pacific. Nearly every part of this tree is used, from its water and flesh to its oil and fiber for crafts and soap. Traditionally, coconut is also used to neutralize poison, reduce fever, and treat burns.</p>

This plant is widely found in tropical regions. Grows from coastlines up to an elevation of 600 m above sea level. Favors areas with rainfall of 1,300-2,300 mm/year, well-drained soil, minimum sunlight duration of 120 hours/month, is not shade-tolerant, air temperature of 20-27 °C, and soil pH of 6.5-7.5.

• Roots fibrous, also with root hairs.
• Trunk straight, cylindrical, unbranched, without cambium, slender, gray, with a ringed or grooved pattern.
• Leaves compound, yellowish-green. Leaflets lanceolate, 50-150 cm long.
• Flowers creamy to yellow, monoecious, emerging from the leaf axils.
• Fruit green, large, fibrous middle layer, hard inner shell, containing endosperm liquid, white flesh.

• Propagated using the fruit as seed. Good seeds are 4/5 brown-skinned, undamaged husk, smooth, and produce a ringing sound when shaken.
• Nursery (polybag) for 6-12 months; once it has 6 leaves and is 90-100 cm tall, transplant to the field. Root pruning outside the polybag is done 2-3 days before planting.

Cytokinins, auxins, gibberellins (GAs), amino acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, resin, glycosides, steroids, lauric acid, myristic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, oleic acid.

Addresses mouth and dental problems; neutralizes poison; controls blood pressure; reduces fever; treats burns, scabies, eczema, intestinal worms, diarrhea; relieves nausea; raises good cholesterol (HDL) levels.

Information not yet available.

Information not yet available.