COCONUT
Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae, previously known as Palmae).
Given its scientific name by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753, he based his description of the plant on illustrations of early travellers and on plants growing in George Clifford's garden in the Netherlands. He thought coconuts came from India.
Native to the islands of the western Pacific, the coconut has spread to beach strands and coastal habitats throughout the world.
Life form: tree-like palm.
Parts used: fruits and seeds used for food, forage, oil and a variety of other culinary and non-food uses; foliage used as building material; stems used as wood (not a true wood).
Ploidy level:
diploid.
| 
