Missouri Botanical 

 Garden Bulletin 



Vol. IX St. Louis, Mo., December, 1921 No. 10 



THE COCOANUT PALM 



On account of its varied products the cocoanut (Cocos 

 nucifera) is the most important of all cultivated palms. It is 

 estimated that the world's output of the two cocoanut prod- 

 ucts, copra and coir, before the late war, was 50 per cent 

 greater than that of rubber and only 40 per cent less than 

 that of gold. The cocoanut is widely cultivated near the sea 

 in all tropical countries where the average temperature is 70° 

 F. and where there is no great variation in temperature be- 

 tween seasons. Owing to the thick fibrous outer covering of 

 the fruit the entire nut will float and retain its power of ger- 

 mination for a considerable time, which no doubt has been a 

 factor in its distribution along seashores. As its nearest rela- 

 tives are all native of America it is believed, despite its very 

 wide geographical distribution, that the cocoanut palm is of 

 American origin. However, it is said to be indigenous to the 

 Cocos or Keeling Islands of the Indian Ocean and to have been 

 carried westward in prehistoric times. It was cultivated in 

 Polynesia and Malaya for an edible crop before its discovery 

 by Europeans. 



Uses and Products of the Cocoanut. — In tropical countries 

 where the cocoanut is grown practically every part of the 

 tree is used in some form by the natives. The roots arc used 

 as a medicine, particularly as an astringent, and are fre- 

 quently chewed as a substitute for the betel or areca nut. They 

 are also used in basket-making, being interwoven with fiber. 

 The trunk, when mature, develops a very hard external cover- 

 ing which is used in native hut building and is occasionally 

 exported for cabinet work under the name of porcupine wood. 

 It takes a high polish and is recognized by its peculiar ebony- 

 like streaks irregularly disposed over a reddish brown ground. 

 The young leaves, particularly the leaf bnd, is much sought 



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