Coconut illustration. Shutterstock / Mukesh Kumar Merdeka.com – As a country with a tropical climate, head plants are a type of plant that is familiar and commonly found in Indonesia. Plants that have tall stems usually grow on the coast. However, coconut trees can also grow in plantation areas and even in residential areas.
It can be said that the head tree is a plant that has unique characteristics. Starting from the shape of the stems that grow tall and towering, the shape of long, parallel leaves that are different from other plants, to the fruit that has a multi-layered structure. When viewed as a whole, coconut trees have a beautiful shape.
Not only that, there are other coconut tree characteristics that are no less unique. It is known that coconut tree trunks are the same size from bottom to tip. It is different from other tree species which tend to have a wider trunk diameter at the bottom then tapering off to the end.
The various characteristics of this unique head tree are indeed interesting to watch. Especially when you are interested in coconut cultivation. That way, you need to understand some information about the characteristics of the following coconut trees. This can be a general knowledge or insight capital before you start a coconut cultivation business.
Reporting from the Botanical Online site, the following merdeka.com summarizes the characteristics of coconut trees and some other information you need to know.
Origin of Coconut Trees
© 2020 Merdeka.com/Dwi Narwoko
Before knowing the characteristics of coconut trees, it is important to first know the origin of this slender tree. In this case, the actual origin of the coconut trees is not known with certainty. However, the palm tree species are said to have originated in Malaysia and the Indo-Pacific region.
Until now, coconut trees began to spread in almost all tropical beaches of the world. Even in the Philippines, you can see abundant coconut trees. Several islands in the Philippines are filled with extensive and dense coconut groves.
Has a slim trunk
The characteristics of the first coconut tree are that it has a slender trunk that grows tall and tall. Trees that grow and are widely distributed throughout the tropical region are known to vary in size, namely between 12-30 meters. The trunk of this tree has a brown or grayish brown cylindrical shape with a diameter of 20-30 cm which usually grows sideways.
Uniquely, this coconut tree trunk can maintain a consistent diameter from bottom to top. In addition, the coconut tree trunk is also not branched and only grows branches at the base of the trunk in groups. As it grows tall, some of the previously existing branches will fall off and leave marks on the main trunk.
Palm leaves as a crown
wikipedia
The next characteristic of coconut trees is the presence of palm leaves as a crown. These palm leaves grow lined with long erect petioles. This leaf has a distinctive shape, which is pinnate with a shiny green color. These leaves can grow to a length of 2 – 6 meters.
In addition, these leaves have branched flower bunches located at the tips of the leaves. The female flower has a round shape with 3 round pale white petals and white yellow petals that have 3 ovarian cells and 3 stigmas. While male flowers have small and pointed white sepals, oval petals, and 6 stamens.
Have a drupe
The characteristics of a coconut tree that are no less interesting are that this tree has fruit with seeds. Throughout the year the coconut tree will produce fruit with yellow fiber or often referred to as coconut husk. This coconut fruit is round with 3 corners and 3 sprouts. Usually coconut fruit has a diameter of 20-30 centimeters.
This coconut fruit consists of brown or yellow fibrous bark and a hard shell. Then in the middle cavity of the fruit there is a thin liquid like milk called coconut water. This coconut water contains a mixture of nutrients that are useful for supporting coconut growth. When the fruit is ripe, this liquid accumulates fat which is also known as coconut juice.
Can Produce up to 200 Fruits
Shutterstock / Africa Studio
Another characteristic of the coconut fruit is that it can produce up to 200 fruits throughout the year. Mature coconut trees are known to grow 75–200 coconuts per year. Each coconut weighs between 1.5 and 2.5 kg.
The largest coconut fruit ever is Lodoica maldivica with a diameter of 40–50 cm and a weight of 15–30 kg. This fruit has a perforated coconut seed and is coated with a white, oily flesh that can be consumed.
Coconut Fruit Uses
After knowing the characteristics of a coconut tree and its uniqueness, it is necessary to know that this coconut tree produces fruit that is rich in benefits. In this case, coconut fruit has long been used as a medicinal food. It is said, coconut fruit has analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypotensive and immune stimulating properties. Besides being able to be consumed for health purposes, coconut fruit is also often used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
[ayi]
Read next: Origin of Coconut Trees …
