coconut tree

coconut tree

synonym

Coconut trees generally refer to coconut trees

This entry is compiled and applied by "popular science China" Science Encyclopedia

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Coconut tree (English: < icocos nucifera < / IL.) is a large plant of coconut genus in Palmaceae. Coconut is the fruit of coconut tree, which is a common fruit in tropical areas. The popularity of coconut trees is also related to the fact that the fruit coconut can drift thousands of kilometers in the sea and reproduce very far away from the mother tree. Coconut tree is an evergreen tree in the tropics. The trunk is about 15-30 meters high, with single crown. The leaves are pinnately divided, 4-6 m long, mostly leathery, linear lanceolate, 65-100 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, apex acuminate, petiole stout, more than 1 m long.

introduce

The coconut tree is an evergreen tree belonging to the palm family. Its stem is strong and erect, up to 30m high. Coconut tree has a high economic value, known as the "treasure tree". Immature endosperm (pulp) can be used as tropical fruit; coconut water is a delicious cool drink, in addition to drinking, it is also a good promoter of tissue culture; mature coconut meat contains 70% fat, can be pressed oil, can also be processed into a variety of candy, cakes. Coconut shell can be used as a variety of utensils and crafts, also can be made into activated carbon; coconut fiber can be made into brushes, carpets, cables and so on. The tree trunk can be used as building materials, the leaves can cover the roof or weave, and the roots can be used as medicine. Because of its beautiful posture, it is an important tree species for beautifying and greening the environment in tropical areas.

morphological character

Coconut trees mainly include green coconut, yellow coconut and red coconut. Generally, coconut trees are more than 25 meters high. The trunk is straight, without branches and vines. Huge feathery leaves stretch out from the top of the tree, holding up an umbrella shaped green leaf. The leaf is 4-6 meters long, with many lobes, leathery, linear lanceolate, 65-100 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, and the apex is gradually pointed. The petiole is thick and more than 1 meter long. The inflorescence of foyan is axillary, 1.5-2 m long, multi branched, with male flowers gathering at the upper part of the branches and female flowers scattered at the lower part; the male flowers have sepals 3, scaly, 3-4 mm long, petals 3, leathery, ovate oblong, 1-1.5 cm long; the stamens are 6; the female flowers have several bracteoles at the base, sepals leathery, round, 2.5 cm wide, petals similar to sepals, but smaller. Nut obovate or subglobose, slightly trigonous at the top, 15-25 cm long, endocarp bony, near the base has three germination pores, 1 seed; endosperm has a cavity rich in juice. The mature fruit is oval or ellipsoidal, with thick shell and rich fiber; the endocarp is hard, filled with endosperm (composed of coconut meat and coconut juice), and the embryo is very small.

It usually begins to bear fruit after 5-6 years, 15-18 years is the peak production period, 40-80 fruit per plant, more than 100, economic life more than 80 years. The number of leaves per year varies with the age of coconut trees. Before the high yield period, the number of leaves increases with the age of coconut trees. After the high yield period, the number of leaves decreases slightly, but remains constant. About 3 leaves are taken out at seedling stage, 10-13 young trees are not bearing fruit, 14-15 young bearing trees and 12-13 mature trees. With the senescence of the plant, the number of annual leaves decreased correspondingly. In a year, due to seasonal changes, the number of leaves per month also has a certain change. The number of flower buds of young fruit bearing trees is less than that of adult trees, the former average is 10.6, the latter 12. In a year, the number of budding is the most from May to June, and the least from November to December. After 3.5 months, the inflorescence appears, which is called flowering. The most flowering period is from July to September, and the most pistil is in the bud, and the least is from November to march of the next year. It takes 12 months from fertilization to fruit development.

Generally, the commercial coconut is still green immature fruit when it is harvested. It is a little triangular in shape and the size of a football. The "coconut" sold in stores is actually the brown core of the coconut, also known as "coconut kernel". There is actually a thick fibrous layer and a green hard shell outside the core. In order to save the space occupied by transportation, the part outside the core is usually removed before transportation. The core contains about one liter of almost clear sweet juice and fragrant pulp.

Variety type selection

Coconut is a monocotyledonous plant, which can be divided into two types: cross pollinated tall coconut and self pollinated dwarf coconut. The cross pollinated coconut is the main cultivar in China. Its trunk is 15 ~ 25m, and it begins to bear fruit in 6 ~ 8 years under good conditions. Its life span is more than 80 years. According to the size and shape of fruit, it can be divided into big round fruit, medium round fruit and plucked fruit, and the plucked fruit is the best. In the above fruit types, they are divided into green coconut and red coconut according to fruit color, among which green coconut is the most common.

The stem height of the self pollinated dwarf coconut is about 5 ~ 12M, and it begins to bear fruit in 3 ~ 5 years, and its life span is 30 ~ 40 years. According to the color of the fruit, it can be divided into green dwarf coconut, ivory dwarf coconut and red dwarf coconut.

Coconut tree is a tropical crop, suitable for growing in high temperature and rainy low altitude humid and hot areas, the optimum temperature is 26 ~ 27 ℃, the annual average temperature is above 24 ~ 25 ℃, the temperature difference is small, there is no frost throughout the year, the sun is sufficient, the annual rainfall is more than 1500 ~ 2000mm, and the distribution is uniform. According to the cultivation experience of coconut trees in Xishuangbanna for many years, it is more suitable to pick the pedicel among the high coconut species, with high yield and good quality.

Growth environment

Coconut is a tropical light loving crop, which grows well under the conditions of high temperature, rainy, sunny and sea breeze. It is required that the annual average temperature should be above 24-25 degrees, the temperature difference should be small, and there should be no frost all year round, so that the coconut can blossom and bear fruit normally, and the optimal growth temperature is 26-27 degrees.

It is suitable to grow in low altitude areas. Hainan Island in China can grow well only in the areas below 150-200 meters above sea level. It is required that the annual average temperature should be above 24-25 ℃, the temperature difference should be small, and there should be no frost all year round, so that the coconut can blossom and bear fruit normally, and the optimal growth temperature is 26-27 ℃. If the average temperature of one month in a year is 18 ℃, the yield will decrease obviously. If the average temperature is lower than 15 ℃, it will cause flower drop, fruit drop and leaf yellowing. The water condition should be that the annual rainfall is more than 1500-2000mm, and the distribution is uniform, but in the area with abundant groundwater or irrigation, the annual rainfall of 600-800mm can also grow well; the impact of drought on coconut yield can last for 2-3 years, and long-term water accumulation will also affect the growth and yield of coconut.

As far as soil fertility is concerned, rich potassium fertilizer is required. The soil pH value can be 5.2-8.3, but 7.0 is the most suitable. Coconut has strong wind resistance, and the strong wind of 6-7 level has only slight effect on its growth and yield. 8-9 typhoon can break a few blades and tear the leaflets. Strong typhoons of magnitude 10-12 or above have serious damage to coconut. The conditions were suitable, and the coconut began to bear fruit two years after planting.

Distribution range

Coconut trees are widely distributed in tropical coastal and inland areas of Asia, Africa, Oceania and America. It is mainly distributed between the north and South latitudes of 20 degrees, especially in the equatorial coastal area. Secondly, it is also widely distributed in the range of 20 ° to 23.5 ° north-south latitude. Coconuts are mainly distributed in Hainan Island in China, accounting for about 80% of the total area and yield in China. In addition, Xisha and Spratly Islands, Guangdong's upper Sichuan and Shimokawa Shima, Tainan, Yunnan Xishuangbanna, Guangxi Beihai, Qinzhou and other places also have a small amount of planting.

Coconut trees are usually distributed in tropical or subtropical regions, such as Hainan Province, Yunnan Province and Maldives. They are native to the Malay islands, and have been planted in Hainan Province for more than 2000 years.

On behalf of the country

Qatar's national emblem and two Arab machetes symbolize the defense of the independence and freedom of the motherland.

The white sailboat symbolizes the continuous development of maritime trade and fishery production; the two coconut trees symbolize the rich natural resources; around the circular ribbon painted with the national flag is the Arabic name of the state of Qatar.

The national emblem of Qatar was opened in 1976. After independence, the national emblem center is a yellow round emblem. The above two Arab machetes, like an iron wall, can resist all foreign invasion and defend the independence and freedom of the motherland. Under the protection of machete, an Arab white sailing boat is riding the wind and waves, marching on the vast blue waters of the Persian Gulf. It symbolizes Qatar's continuous development of maritime trade and fishery production.

Main value

The organic fruit of coconut is pollution-free and rich in vitamin B, C, sodium, protein, amino acid and compound polysaccharide. Coconuts have juice to drink and can be used as drinks. Coconut water is rich in protein, fat and a variety of vitamins, which can promote cell regrowth, improve eyesight, invigorate stomach, sober up, sweet and relieve heat. The flesh is white and can be eaten or pressed for oil. The fiber of pericarp can be netted, the trunk can be used as building materials, and the bark has medicinal value. The details are as follows:

nutritive value

Coconut juice is the fruit of a coconut tree and the extract of a coconut. Juice clear as water, and quite sweet, crystal clear, cool

Chinese PinYin : Ye Shu