Coconut Palm

Cocos nucifera L.

CO-cos new-SIF-er-ah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Cocos comes from the Portuguese word macaco for monkey, in reference to the facelike markings on the end of the nut (JON). Nuci-fera means nut-bearing.

Natural range: Possibly in the western Pacific (JON). Beaches and similar habitats

Recognition: Mid-sized, single-trunked, pinnate-leaved palms bearing coconuts 

Landscape uses: JON stresses that coconuts grow best when their roots have access to underground water. When planting, remember the hazards of falling coconuts.

            The relative resistances of various cultivars to Lethal Yellowing is debatable and mostly disappointing. The cultivars are numerous, and the number is expanded by additions of color descriptors to cultivar names. Among those important in Florida historically or presently are: ‘Jamaican Tall’ (rapid growth, crooked trunk with swollen base), ‘Panama Tall’ (fast-growing, large, crooked stout trunk), ‘Malayan Dwarf’ (begins flowering when small, slender straight trunk with unswollen base; has green, yellow or golden unripe fruits; golden forms most resistant according to MEE), and ‘Maypan’ (a hybrid between ‘Panama Tall’ and ‘Malayan Dwarf’ having a tall, bent trunk (BR1, MEE, UFHS40). Contrary to earlier claims by various authorities, according to UFHS40 and varied additional sources, all of these cultivars have low resistance to LY, with the most resistant cultivar being ‘Fiji Dwarf’ (slow-growing with broad leaves and leaflets and thick, crooked trunk). At the time of this writing, ‘Fiji Dwarf’ has not become readily available in Florida.