Discover 15 Types of Coconut Trees | How They Grow and their Importance?

Coconut trees are scientifically known as “Cocos nucifera”. Types of coconut trees are famous for their versatility, diversity, and abundance. The name “coconut” comes from Portuguese where coco means head or skull, and nut is a fruit with a hard shell. Coconut is a national tree of the Maldives.

Coconuts provide us with not only delicious coconuts but also valuable resources like oil, milk, and fiber. Along with their use in cuisines and other edible items, they have medicinal importance, especially in cosmetics and skin care. Giving tribute to this blessing, World Coconut Day is celebrated on 2nd November each year.

Coconut vs Palm Trees

Parts of Coconut Fruit

Here, we will talk about the different parts of the coconut fruit. You may say it anatomy of coconut fruit. Coconut fruit has the following 5 parts;

1. External Covering – This covering is green which turns brown on maturity. This is called “exocarp”. This indicates the age and maturity of the coconut fruit.
2. Husk/Fiber – This layer “mesocarp” protect the inner edible part of the coconut fruit. This is rough in texture.
3. Shell – This is the third layer, known as the “endocarp”. It protects the inner portion. It is useful as a bird feeder.
4. Edible Fruit – High in calories and fats, this edible part is the most likable one for all. This perfect cake is high in minerals too.
5. Water – You are on a beach and dehydrated. Don’t worry, coconut water will serve you on these hot tropical beaches. It has electrolytes, it is also used in many recipes across the globe.

Why coconut water turns yellow?

Oxidation and exposure to UV light, turn coconut water yellow. Exposure to air and light changes the color of the water from clear to yellowish. The yellow color of coconut water does not affect its quality and flavor.

Why some Coconuts are Green?

Green coconuts are the same coconut (Cocos nucifera) but are young, hairy, and not fully matured. However, as these types of coconut trees reach the age of 12 months (1 year), they turn brown, hard, and fattier. The development stages of coconuts can be divided into 3 categories;

• 1-6 months – coconuts are bright green with only water inside the husk.
• 6-10 months – coconuts turn yellowish with brown spots on them. The water turns sweet and fragrant. A thicker fat forms.
• 11-12 Months – Coconuts are mature, brown busk is as covering.

Green Coconut vs Brown Coconut

The different between green and brown types of coconut trees is not the colour only, we can differentiate these on 10 different grounds. Difference between green coconuts and brown coconuts are as;

5 Prominent Facts about Coconuts

This succulent and fleshy fruit has some mysteries. Let’s try to explore them.

• Coconut trees can grow up to 100 feet
• Coconut contains 94% water
• It can produce 60 (dwarf) to 180 (tall) fruits in a single harvest.
• Coconut oil contains MCT (medium chain triglycerides) which are healthy and easy to digest.
• The total production of coconuts exceeds 60 million tonnes in a year. Indonesia, the Philippines, and India are the largest producers.

What are coconut bras?

Coconut bras are part of traditional costumes. It is believed that this tradition started in Hawaii islands and is now common in all the Pacific islands. It is used at special occasions e.g. weddings and traditional dance parties.

How Many Different Types of Coconut Trees are there?

Are you curious to know the different types of coconuts? There are various types of coconut trees depending upon their physical or edaphic features. All of them possess unique characteristics. All this is what we will find in this article. Let’s explore some of these remarkable coconut tree varieties:

4. West Coast Tall Coconut

Thriving along the western coastlines, this tall coconut tree variety is highly diverse. It can grow in a wide range of climate and soil conditions. They can be productive in just 7 to 8 years.

Their fruit size is perfect. They bear 80 to 90 fruits per plant. It is known for its high yield and resilience against strong winds and saline soil and water. It produces coconuts rich in oil content suitable for cosmetic use.

5. Panama Tall Coconut

Native to Panama and the Pacific, the Panama Tall coconut tree forms an umbrella-shaped canopy. They exhibit exceptional resistance to harsh climates and pests and diseases.

Their high resistance to lower temperatures and umbrella shape makes them a good choice for gardeners. Moreover, their resistance to wind and temperature makes them tall enough that they can go up to 90 feet (25 – 30 m).

6. Macapuno Coconut/Kopyor Coconut

Hailing from the Philippines, the Macapuno coconut tree bears unique mutant coconuts with thick, soft, and jelly-like flesh. Their endospermic part makes them so and is edible, often used in desserts.

As the endospermic part grows abruptly, the liquid content is almost zero in these types of Coconut Trees. This made is less favorable and only used for dishes and desserts. They also contain oil and protein contents. Moreover, their commercial importance makes them a bit costly.

7. Mayan Coconut

This may be called a hybrid between the Malayan short coconut tree and Panama Tall coconut varieties. This variant of the Coconut tree was developed in the 1990s. At that time, yellowing disease was destroying all types of coconut and thus, the Maypan variant was developed.

: It can grow up to 60 feet (18-20 m) in height. This is known as a “Hybrid” variety of Coconut and is famous for its high productivity and resistance to yellowing disease. These are types of coconut trees in Jamaica.

8. VHC1 Coconut

As the name shows, the variant of coconut trees is a hybrid. This is a cross combination of east coast tall and Malayan Dwarf. This combination resulted in a highly fertile and productive type of coconut.

VHC1 can produce fruits at the age of 4 years, this least time to get productivity. This mid heighted type of coconut tree may give up to 100 fruits. It has become a valuable asset for the local coconut industry.

9. Tiptur Tall

Originating from Tiptur in India, the Tiptur Tall coconut tree is renowned for its leathery fronds. Fronds are the leaves – leaflets of coconuts and other palm trees. It can be productive in 7-8 years and is moderately productive in terms of the number of fruits.

It requires less maintenance and thus is liked for home décor and l landscape.

10. Cameron Red Dwarf

This is the most vibrant variety because of its color. The color of the fruit is red to yellow-orange and is pear-shaped. One of the most significant uses of this variety of coconuts is its prime place in ornamentals.

11. Green Dwarf

The Green Dwarf coconut tree is prized for its deep green fronds. it’s compact, low statured, and attains early maturity (only 3 – 4 years). Moreover, similar to other dwarf types of coconut trees, these miniature coconut trees are also susceptible to diseases.

12. Chowghat Dwarf Orange

They are just 15 to 20 feet in height. They are one of the early producers and can produce at the age of 3 to 3.5 years. You can easily pick their 60-65 fruits yearly. However, the flesh content of this dwarf is the least in all types of coconut trees.

13. Golden Malay

This type is native to Malay and Indonesia. The fruit shows its golden hue when ripens. The Golden Malay coconut tree is cherished for its juicy and refreshing water. They love tropical climates and soil with good organic matter. Organic matter-rich soil and tropical climate help it in attaining heights up to 12 meters.

This type is famous for producing fruits at an early stage. It gives high-quality drinking water and flesh – used for cooking.

14. Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconuts

This dwarf coconut variety, with its vibrant yellow color, is highly prized for its sweet and aromatic water. It’s commonly found in tropical areas of Southeast Asia like Bennettitales and their affinity groups. It is best suited in soils enriched in organic matter.

The fruit is greenish when unripe. However, at maturity, the fruit and stem, leaves turn pale yellow. Short height and yellowish shade earn its name as “Malayan Yellow Dwarf”. Yellowish fruit (700-800 grams in weight) is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. They are perfectly round Jamaican Coconuts. Yellow Coconut stands out with its bright yellow husk covering the sweet flesh. It offers a delightful blend of sweetness and nutrition and is refreshing coconut water.

15. Fiji Dwarf

Originating from the enchanting islands of Fiji and Florida. This coconut species emerge as a leading variety of Coconut after the 1980s. This shows that it is quite resistant to disease and pests.

People can easily harvest its fruit without any ladder, standing on the ground. However, the tree can increase in height at the rate of 1 meter per annum. Its short stature makes it perfect for ornamental uses. The fruit is compact, smooth texture, has a tough nut, and is mild in flavor. It is highly adaptable and can flourish in diverse environments.

How to Grow Coconut Tree?

Coconut trees naturally grow in a tropical climate. However, if you can manage, you can grow and plant some types of coconut trees at your home. Following are 10 developmental stages of coconut through which it goes from germination to maturity. You need to follow the following steps to grow coconut at your home;

How does Coconut Reproduce?

Coconuts reproduce by flowers. A coconut tree may flower at the age of 4-6 years. Flowers are produced during the spring season. It takes 9 months from the flowers to the fruits. Out of the cluster of flowers, only a single flower matures, the rest drop to the ground.

What is the Importance of Coconut Trees?

We have learned a lot about the coconut tree, its fruits, fruit parts, and types of coconut trees. Now, we are here to look into some of the aspects showing the importance of coconuts.

• Coconut milk is a healthy fresher drink. It relieves in dehydrations as it contains 95% water content.
• Coconut oil mixed with tea tree oil serve as a skin care treatment. It helps in treating water warts and irritation. Mix these two in a ratio of 10 drops of tea tree oil and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil is
• Coconut oil is good for hair growth and protection. Mixed with tea extract, it serves the purpose in a better way. It also serves its purpose to kill and repel lice.
• Coconut tree costumes and coconut bras are common in different parts of the earth on special occasions.
• Coconut lime body wash is a commercial product and is nutritive for the skin, especially the face and hands.
• Coconut oil mixed with sugar makes a perfect sugar scrub for the skin. It is used as a usual skin massage.
• Coconut juice help to control blood sugar level as it is high in fibers. It also helps in crabs and hunger pangs.
• Husk removed from the seed is fibrous. It is used in making threads and ropes.
• It leaves are called fronds. These fronds serve as a broom well and help in domestic cleaning.

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