Cocos nucifera

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Coconut trees along salty inland water
Species name: Cocos nucifera



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Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Names of users who have contributed to this species page SupriyaK
Date on which this page was first created 2010/06/15
This page was last modified on: 24 November 2010 04:00:49
Name of the species Cocos nucifera
ID on Encyclopedia of Life 1091712
Synonyms Please check Binomial Classification section for synonyms.
Common English Names Coconut
Common Hindi Names नारियल Naariyal
Common Indian names Nariyal,नारियल (Hindi);য়ুবী,Yubi (Manipuri);தென்னை Tennai (Tamil));Thengu (Malayalam);kobbari chettu కొబ్బరి చెట్టు, kobbari kaya కొబ్బరి కాయ (Telugu);Narlu नार्लु (Konkani);Naral नारळ, Shriphal श्रीफळ (Marathi) SupriyaK
Origins/Meanings of the common names Coconuts received the name from Portuguese explorers, the sailors of Vasco da Gama in India, who first brought them to Europe. The brown and hairy surface of coconuts reminded them of a ghost or witch called Coco. Before it was called nux indica, a name given by Marco Polo in 1280 while in Sumatra, taken from the Arabs who called it جوز هندي jawz hindī. Both names translate to "Indian nut." When coconuts arrived in England, they retained the coco name and nut was added. Wikipedia

Taxonomy from Encyclopedia of Life

If nothing is displayed in this section, it means the EoL ID has not been defined. Please click on Edit with form button on top and follow the instructions for filling in the EoL ID

{{#EoLOnlyHierarchy:1091712}} 

Taxonomy filled in form

Angiosperm phylogeny. This image is copyrighted. Rights owned by Theodore C.H.Cole (Heidelberg) and Hartmut H. Hilger (Berlin) 2010. Please obtain copyright permissions before reuse.
Click here for the PDF of the phylogeny
Taxon Value
Regnum (Kingdom) Plantae
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Liliopsida
Order Arecales
Family Arecaceae
Genus Cocos
Source of data '

Other closely related species

SpeciesDivisionCommon nameCommon Hindi name
Aloe veraAloe vera, Medicinal aloe, Burn plantGheekumari घीकुमारी
Acacia niloticaArabic Gum, Black Piquant, Egyptian thorn, Prickly acaciaबबूल Babool,कीकर Kikar
Saraca indicaAshokaअशोक Ashok
… further results
DivisionTaxon detailsTaxon morphology details
MagnoliophytaAlso called Angiospermae. The ancestors of flowering plants diverged from gymnosperms around 245–202 million years ago, and the first flowering plants known to exist are from 140 million years ago. They diversified enormously during the Lower Cretaceous and became widespread around 100 million years ago, but replaced conifers as the dominant trees only around 60-100 million years ago.These are seed plants like Gymnosperms, but can be differentiated by the presence of flowers, seeds containing endosperm and seeds that produce a fruit. Angiosperms are the most diverse and highly evolutionarily successful group of land plants.
SpeciesClassCommon nameCommon Hindi name
Aloe veraLiliopsidaAloe vera, Medicinal aloe, Burn plantGheekumari घीकुमारी
Zingiber rubensLiliopsidaBengal Ginger
Elettaria cardamomumLiliopsidaCardamom, Green cardamomइलाएची Elaichi
… further results
ClassTaxon detailsTaxon morphology details
LiliopsidaLiliopsida is considered the scientific name for monocots, but monocots may be called differently based on different taxonomic classification systems. Based on chloroplast DNA sequences, the divergence date between monocots and dicots is estimated to be ~200 million years, with a 40 million years uncertainty. There are ~50000-60000 species of monocots, with the largest family being Orchidaceae (orchids) consisting of ~20000 species. The true grasses (Poaceae) are the most economically important family, with 70% of the crops being cultivated belonging to this family.The following features distinguish monocots from dicots - 1) Three flower parts in each flower (vs 4-5 in dicots) 2) One pore in pollen (vs 3) 3) One cotyledon (vs 2) 4) Vascular bundles in stem scattered (vs concentric circles) 5) Adventitious roots (vs radicle-origin) 6) Parallel venation (vs reticulate) These broad distinguishing features indeed have some exceptions
SpeciesOrderCommon nameCommon Hindi name
Cocos nuciferaArecalesCoconutनारियल Naariyal
SpeciesFamilyCommon nameCommon Hindi name
Cocos nuciferaArecaceaeCoconutनारियल Naariyal
SpeciesGenusCommon nameCommon Hindi name
Cocos nuciferaCocosCoconutनारियल Naariyal

Based on classification

More details can be found in the Binomial Classification section.

Morphology from Encyclopedia of Life

If nothing is displayed in this section, it means the EoL ID has not been defined. Please click on Edit with form button on top and follow the instructions for filling in the EoL ID

{{#EoLOnlyDescription:1091712}} 

General morphology

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
General morphological features of the plant Stem up to 22 m tall, thick at the base, stout, smooth with prominent rings, greyish, unbranched, remains of old leaves on the top of the stem. Encyclopedia of Life
Seed dispersal mechanism Hydrophily (By water)
Bloom type Perennial EoL
Life cycle of the plant

How to identify this species

For a detailed description, refer to the General Morphology details above

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Type of plant Woody (Tree/Shrub)
Plant height More than 10 feet Gauravm
Flower color Yellow EoL
Flower shape
Floral symmetry
Phyllotaxy of leaves Opposite
Leaf shape
Is the leaf petiolated or sessile?
Is the leaf simple or compound?

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
IUCN Conservation Status Not Evaluated
Indian States in which the species has been documented Andhra Pradesh,Andaman and Nicobar Islands,Goa,Karnataka,Kerala,Lakshadweep,Maharashtra,Orissa,Pondicherry,Tamil Nadu,West Bengal Wikipedia
Locations at which the species has been documented
Biotic zones inhabited East Coast, West Coast, Outlying Islands Based on Wikipedia
Details about the habitat The coconut palm thrives on sandy soils and is highly tolerant of salinity. It prefers areas with abundant sunlight and regular rainfall (150 cm to 250 cm annually), which makes colonizing shorelines of the tropics relatively straightforward.Coconuts also need high humidity (70–80%+) for optimum growth Wikipedia
Is this species native to India? Yes Wikipedia
Is the species indigenous/endemic to Sub-Himalayan regions? No
Is the species indigenous/endemic to Western Ghats? Yes Wikipedia
Is the species indigenous/endemic to Eastern Ghats?

More plants native to India

Species nameCommon nameCommon Hindi namePlant typeNative plantBiotic zone
Abelmoschus moschatusOkra, Abelmosk, Ambrette seeds, Annual hibiscus, Bamia Moschata, Galu Gasturi, Muskdana, Musk mallow, Musk okra, Musk seeds, Ornamental okra, Rose mallow seeds, Tropical jewel hibiscus, Yorka okraमुश्कदाना Mushkdana, कस्तूरीदाना Kasturi-dana, जंगली भिंडी Jangli bhindi
Acacia concinnaSoap podशिकाकाई ShikakaiWoody (Tree/Shrub)Northeastern Himalayas
Eastern Ghats
Western Ghats
Central Deccan Plateau
East Coast
West Coast
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Acrostichum aureumGolden leatherfern, Mangrove fernFernNortheastern Himalayas
Eastern Ghats
East Coast
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Outlying Islands
Aegle marmelosBel, Beli fruit, Bengal quince, Stone apple, Wood appleबेल Bel
Allium sativumCultivated Garlicलेह्सन Lehsan
… further results

If no maps are displayed below, it means the required data is absent. Click on "Edit with form" button on top of the page to add this information.
{{#generateMap:Andhra Pradesh,Andaman and Nicobar Islands,Goa,Karnataka,Kerala,Lakshadweep,Maharashtra,Orissa,Pondicherry,Tamil Nadu,West Bengal|Cocosnucifera_brahma.svg|align=center}}

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Does this species have any medicinal use? Yes

Other plants of the same family having medicinal use:

Species nameCommon nameCommon Hindi nameFamilyAilment typeMedicinal use description
Cocos nuciferaCoconutनारियल NaariyalArecaceaeInfectious diseases
Accidents
Pains and Inflammation
Coconut is commonly used as a traditional remedy in Pakistan to treat bites from rats. Octanoic acid extracted from fruit is active against Candida infections and against other dermatophytes. Coconut water has cooling effect on the body. It is also used for relief from indigestion.
Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
General types of ailments this species is used for treating Infectious diseases, Accidents, Pains and Inflammation
Specific ailments for which the species is used Skin infections Himalaya Health
Medicinal systems which use this plant Folk Medicine Wikipedia
Details of Medicinal use Coconut is commonly used as a traditional remedy in Pakistan to treat bites from rats. Octanoic acid extracted from fruit is active against Candida infections and against other dermatophytes. Coconut water has cooling effect on the body. It is also used for relief from indigestion. Wikipedia, Gauravm, Himalaya
Parts of the plant used for treatment Leaves, Fruit
Names of some medicinal active compounds in this plant, if known.
Details of the active chemical compounds found in this plant
Is the molecular basis of the medicinal action known? Yes
Details of molecular basis of action Octanoic acid is one active compound and has antifungal activity against Candida and some other dermatophytes Himalaya Herbfinder
Are the toxic effects of consumption of this plant known? No
Details of the toxic effects of the plant species
Have there been validation/clinical studies related to this plant?
Details of the clinical studies related to the plant species

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Is this plant/plant-derived product used in food preparations? Yes User-reported
Part(s) of the plant used in the food preparations Fruit
Details of use in food preparations The nut provides oil for cooking and making margarine.

The white, fleshy part of the seed, the coconut meat, is edible and used fresh or dried in cooking.Coconut water contains sugar, fiber, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and provides an isotonic electrolyte balance, making it a nutritious food source. It is used as a refreshing drink throughout the humid tropics, and is used in isotonic sports drinks.Coconut milk is made by processing grated coconut with hot water or milk, which extracts the oil and aromatic compounds.Invariably the main side dish served with Idli, Vada, and Dosa is coconut chutney.Coconut is mixed and ground with spices for sambar and lunch dishes.

Does this species have any religious significance? Yes User-reported
Religions which mention/give significance to this species Hinduism Gauravm
Religious occasions
Details of religious use

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Is this plant cultivated commercially in India? Yes SupriyaK
Uses for which the plant is commercially cultivated Human consumption, Animal consumption, Agricultural use, Cosmetic use, Ornamental use, Religious use, Industrial use, Wood Gauravm, Wikipedia
Plant parts of commercial value Root, Stem, Bark, Leaves, Fruit Gauravm, Wikipedia
Products where this plant is used User-reported
Description of use Coconut leaves are used for making brooms. Bark and coir (fruit hair) used for making brooms, ropes, mattresses, brushes and even as potting compost. Fruit is used in several food preparations, most notably chutneys and coconut sweets.Coconut milk is rich in fatty acids (17% fat content) and used for making hair oils and edible oils.

The dried calyx of the coconut is used as fuel in wood fired stoves. The fresh husk of a brown coconut is also used as a dish sponge or as a body sponge.Coconut roots are used as a dye and a mouthwash.Coconut trunks are used for building small bridges; they are preferred for their straightness, strength and salt resistance. In Kerala (India), coconut trunks are used for house construction.The husk and shells can be used for fuel and are a source of charcoal.

Wikipedia
States where this plant is cultivated commercially Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Orissa, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal SupriyaK,Gauravm
Best period for planting this plant
Best period for harvesting this plant
Method of propagation Seeds
Water requirement of this plant
Pests and Diseases affecting this plant during cultivation
Other considerations while cultivating this plant
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Pubmed Word cloud

This word cloud is obtained using the tool LigerCat by searching the Pubmed database. LigerCat builds the cloud from the most relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Each term's relative size indicates how many times it appears in the PubMed search results. Click on a term to access the full LigerCat cloud, with live PubMed search capabilities. LigerCat has been developed for the Biology of Aging Project.

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  • If there is an error message below, it means that there is no retrievable information available on NCBI
  • If the number of nucleotide sequences is less than 100, very little genomic work has been done on this species. A respectable number of nucleotide sequences is above 10000.
  • Most of the nucleotide sequences may come from three sources:
  1. Studies on single genes, where people try to sequence genes such as some specific dehydrogenases important,say, for tannin production
  2. Sequences of Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer, whose sequence is used for generating molecular phylogenetic trees to establish species relationships
  3. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) which can tell about which genes are present and expressed in the species at a particular time in the given tissue

{{#queryDB:taxonomy |Cocos nucifera }}

Parameter Value(s) References
See complete references in the References section at the end
Details of modern scientific knowledge available for this species
Are herbarium specimen available for this species?
Institutes having herbarium samples

Click here to go to Google Images

Coconut plant
Coconut flowers

References

Wikipedia (Web): Habitat,Uses, Accessdate=2010-June-28


Encyclopedia of Life (Web): Description, Accessdate=2010-June-28


Himalaya, Himalaya Herbfinder (Web): Himalaya Monograph on Coconut, Accessdate=2010-08-07