COCOS NUCIFERA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, USES, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

Cocos nucifera is a species of monotypic palm tree with a solitary trunk, belonging to the Arecales order of the Arecaceae family. Commonly known as coconut, coconut tree, coconut palm or coconut palm, it is one of the most recognized species in the tropics for its high economic, social and cultural value.

The coconut tree is an erect palm of high or medium size, with a thin trunk widened at the base with slightly fissured bark of gray-brown color. This species grows along the tropical and subtropical coastal and sandy areas in hot and humid environments.

Cocos nucifera. Source: pixabay.com

The cultivation of the coconut tree constitutes one of the agricultural exploitations with the longest tradition since ancient times. Thus, its great adaptability to different ecosystems, usefulness and the ability of the fruit to migrate through the sea have favored its wide distribution.

The coconut tree is marketed for the various properties of its fruit or as an ornamental plant, being a source of food, drink, fiber and oil. It is also used as a construction material and raw material for cosmetology, pharmacology, carpentry, gardening and combustion medium.

General characteristics

Morphology

The coconut tree is a monoecious palm with a firm and solitary stem, straight or slightly inclined, 10-20 m high and 40-50 cm in diameter. The trunk has spaced rings and vertical fissures, being thicker at the base and narrower towards the top.

The 2-4 m long pinnate leaves have coriaceous leaflets 55-75 cm long of yellowish green color. The inflorescences, initially protected by a 70 cm long spathe, are located axially on the lower leaves.

The fruit is an ovoid or obovate nut covered with fibers, 20-30 cm long and 1.5-2.5 kg in weight. The endocarp is woody in appearance, dark brown in color with three germinating pores (holes, eyes) at the base level.

Fruit of the Cocos nucifera. Source: pixabay.com

The white albumen or pulp is edible, as well as the liquid, rich in metabolites and mineral salts. The fruit takes 5-6 months to reach its maximum size and reaches physiological maturity at 10-12 months.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae.

- Division: Magnoliophyta.

- Class: Liliopsida.

- Order: Arecales.

- Family: Arecaceae.

- Subfamily: Arecoideae.

- Tribe: Cocoeae.

- Subtribe: Butiinae.

- Genus: Cocos.

- Species: Cocos nucifera L.

Synonymy

- Coccus Mill. (1754).

- Calappa Steck (1757).

- Coccos Gaertn. (1788), orth. var.

Etymology

- Coconuts: the name of the genus comes from the Portuguese word "coconut" due to the appearance of a mask with two eyes and an open mouth.

- nucifera: the specific adjective derives from the Latin “nucifer-a-um” which means “that produces nuts”.

Habitat and distribution

The origin of the coconut tree is uncertain, even though it has been established in the Indo-Malay tropical region of the eastern Pacific. This statement is supported by the high degree of genetic diversity in this Asian-Pacific region.

Indeed, the coconut has been distributed throughout the pantropical regions since ancient times. In fact, there is evidence of the presence of coconut plantations along the Pacific coast of Central America, Brazil, Venezuela, Mozambique, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Tanzania.

Plantation of coconut trees. Source: pixabay.com

The natural habitat of the Cocos nucifera is located on the sandy beaches of the tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the Caribbean Sea. Plantations can be established in regions with hot climates from the equator to the parallels 28-32 in both hemispheres.

Cocos nucifera is a species that adapts to the agroclimatic conditions characteristic of the intertropical coastal regions. In fact, it grows in sandy and loose soils in warm environments, with high humidity, stable photoperiods and average annual rainfall of 750 mm.

The coconut tree tolerates high levels of soil salinity, which favors its growth and development where other plants cannot establish themselves. Likewise, strong winds do not affect it: rather they contribute to pollination, fertilization of the flowers and dispersal of the fruit.

It is susceptible to low temperatures, compact or clayey soils, altitude and low humidity. Due to this, it is not located in dry areas such as the Mediterranean coasts and the coastal areas to the south of Peru and north of Chile.

In this regard, its presence is common in intertropical areas with high relative humidity and average temperatures above 13-15ºC. Its own environments are southern Florida, Hawaii, the Canary Islands and northern Argentina.

Applications

The coconut plant is widely used by man due to its many applications. The wood from the trunk is used for construction, and the dried leaves are suitable as a covering or screen for rustic ceilings.

The dried pulp or copra contains 60-70% oils (lipids), 15-20% carbohydrates and 5-6% proteins. Coconut oil is used to make cocoa butter, margarines, soaps, lotions, creams, and various cosmetic products.

Coconut oil. Source: pixabay.com

In some areas, the sap of the inflorescences is consumed directly, but through fermentation an alcoholic drink called "coconut wine" is obtained. The water of the fruit is highly nutritious and refreshing, and contains vitamins and minerals, being consumed directly as a drink.

The fibers that surround the coconut are used as a substrate in gardening, and for the manufacture of ropes, mats, brushes, baskets and carpets. Thus, the powder resulting from the coconut fiber is used as an insulating material in plywood, as a packaging material or as a food supplement for livestock.

The shell or shell of the coconut is raw material for the production of kitchen utensils, such as spoons, ladles, cups, bowls, boxes or toys. Likewise, the ground shell is used as an additive in the manufacture of plastics to provide gloss and resistance to humidity.

As a medicinal plant, the coconut tree and its fruits are used for their antihemorrhagic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, diuretic, emollient, laxative and vermifuge properties. The decoction of the fibrous shell is used as a purgative and anthelmintic; the pulp is used to make a syrup with pectoral properties; and the smoke from the peel is used as incense to relieve toothache.

Care

The establishment of a coconut plantation is carried out from templates obtained from healthy seeds free from mechanical damage, pests or diseases. The ideal template should be more than four months old, more than one meter high and with a pinnate leaf.

It is advisable to select templates of the same age and size to achieve a uniform planting in terms of size and production. The sowing is done in free and weedy land, free of trees or shrubs, since the coconut tree requires full sun exposure.

Coconut tree template. Source: © Jérémie Silvestro / Wikimedia Commons

Soil preparation requires mechanization like the harrow pass. On highly mechanized soils a subsoiler pass is necessary to break up the plow floor. The sowing is carried out according to the variety, being common the triangular arrangement (8x8x8 m) or square (8 × 8 m), aligning the plantation in an east-west direction.

At the time of sowing in the field, a fungicide solution is applied to the templates to prevent the development of fungi. Compost-based organic matter is also added to the planting hole (2-5 kg ​​/ hole).

During planting it is necessary to compact the soil to avoid air pockets that favor root rot. Likewise, a mound of earth must be maintained around the template so that the irrigation water drains and does not cause flooding.

As a preventive measure during crop establishment or first five years, strict weed control should be maintained. Ideally, keep a one meter radius around the template clean to avoid competition for light and water.

Cultural practices

Irrigation

The coconut tree tolerates long dry periods, but in commercial crops it is necessary to apply frequent watering during the establishment of the crop. For this, the age of the plant, the climatic conditions and the type of soil must be taken into account.

Fertilization

Fertilization is essential to achieve productive plants, being determined by age, soil analysis, variety, planting density and irrigation. The coconut tree requires high levels of nitrogen during establishment and potassium during production, as well as medium levels of phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur.

Coconut tree Source: pixabay.com

Plagues and diseases

The most common pests of the coconut include the coconut weevil (Rhynchophrus palmatum) and spider mites (Eriophyes gerreronis). As well as the pale leafhopper (Myndus crudus), vector of the lethal yellowing disease of the coconut tree.

The disease with the highest incidence in the nursery is the leaf spot caused by the fungus Helminthosporium sp. In plantations, there is lethal yellowing of the coconut tree (CLA), a disease caused by a mycoplasma and the rot of the bud caused by the fungus Phytophthora palmivora.

In addition, stem bleeding or hemorrhagic disease caused by Thielaviopsis ethaceticus and leaf blight by Pestalotia palmarum are common. The disease called red ring of the coconut tree is caused by the nematode Rhadinaphelenchus cocophilus, which affects the central area of ​​the stem, roots, and petiole up to the fruit.

The management of pests and diseases in coconut cultivation is carried out in a comprehensive manner. Cultural practices such as weed control, planting distance, removal of dry leaves, or drainage improvements avoid the presence of pathogens.

Biological control makes it possible to regulate the economic damage threshold of certain pests. However, when pests or diseases have reached a high incidence, the application of pesticides is required.

References

1. Briones, VL, & Barrera, MAF (2016) The coconut tree: “The tree of life”. CICY Herbarium 8: 107–110. Natural Resources Unit, Yucatán Scientific Research Center, AC
2. Cocos nucifera. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
3. Cueto, JR, Alonso, M., Llauger, R., González, V., & Romero, W. (2004). History of the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.) in Cuba: its origin in the Baracoa region. Recovered at: fao.org
4. El Cocotero (2010) Ecological Bulletin. Series: Emblematic trees of Venezuela. PDVSA. Environment Management. 4 pp.
5. Granados Sánchez, D., & López Ríos, GF (2002). Management of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in Mexico. Chapingo Magazine. Forest and Environmental Sciences Series, 8 (1).
6. Lizano, M. (2005). Coconut cultivation technical guide. IICA, San Salvador (El Salvador) Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, San Salvador (El Salvador).
7. Matías, SSR, de Aquino, BF, & de Freitas, JDAD (2008). Evaluation of the production of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) under fertigation with different doses of nitrogen and potassium. Colombian Agronomy, 26 (1), 127-133.
8. Parrotta, JA (2000). Cocos nucifera L. Coconut palm, coconut, coconut palm. Bioecology of Native and Exotic Trees of Puerto Rico and the West Indies, 152.