Report Text : Coconuts 1

Coconuts are large palm,  growing to 30 m tall, with pinnate leaves 4-6 m long. They produce large oval brown fruits which have hard woody husk surrounded by fibre, with edible flesh and containing a clear liquid. They belong to the family Arecaceae ( Palm family ).The term coconut also refers to the seed of the coconut palm.

The flowers of the coconut palm are polygamomonoecious, with both male and female flowers in the same process of flowering. Flowering occurs continuously, with female flowers prducing seeds. Coconuts also come with a liquid that is clear like water, but it tastes sweet. The “nut” of the coconut is in the shape of a ball inside the coconut. Unlike the other plants, the palm tree has neither tap roots nor root hairs, but it has a fibrous root system.

The coconut palms grow on sandy soils.They prefer areas with much sunlight and regular rainfall ( 150cm to 250 cm annually ). Coconuts also need high humudity ( 70-80 % ) for optimum growth. Coconut palms require warm conditions for 27° C, and growth is reduced bellow 21° C. They do not have fruits properly in areas where there is not sufficent warmth, like Bermuda.

The coconut palms are grown throughout the tropical world. They are used for decoration as wellas as for its many cullinary and non-culinary. The coconut meat is edible and used fresh and dried in cookong. Coconut milk is made by processing grated coconut with hot  water or milk. Coir ( the fibre from the husk of the coconut ) is used in ropes, mats, brushes, and stuffing fibre. Coconut oil is used in many ways including as a medicines, or as a direct replacement for diesel fuel. Coconut trunks are used for building.