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Tropicals, Woody > Cocos > Cocos nucifera > Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera


Coconut Palm




Origin:  Widely distributed but thought to originate in Melanesia and the Indian Ocean region. The only plant in its genus.
Family
Arecacaeae
Genus
Cocos
Species
nucifera
Category
Tropicals, Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cold protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H1b-H3
Temperature (°C)
-1.1-15.6
Temperature (°F)
30-60
Height
15-30 m
Spread
6-12 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
Landscape
Used for parks, along streets, residential yards, near commercial buildings, hotels, and on golf courses.
Cultivation
Best grown in fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun.
Growth
Medium
Habitat
This tropical tree is found in humid, frost free coastal lowlands and seashores.
Bark/Stem Description
This tree has a single-trunk with grey, smooth bark.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
The pinnate leaves grow 4-6 metres long and have 60-90 leaflets.
Leaf Description
Leaves are 4-6 m long with individual pinnae reaching up to 1 m in length.
Fruit Description
The coconuts are rough and brown and grow 30-35 cm around. They contain milk, oil and meat.
Notable Specimens
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, United States of America
Propagation
Propagated by seed
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