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I. Overview

A. Systematics The Palm • Cocos nucifera • One of ~2600 spp. in Palm (Cocos nucifera) Family () Reading: Coconut exhibit in stairwell area • Only sp. in genus Cocos

• Likely native to Indo-Pacific

I. Overview I. Overview

B. Morphology B. Morphology

• Unbranched trees

• Terminal rosette of large, Leaf pinnate leaves scars

Sheathing lvs

I. Overview I. Overview B. Morphology B. Morphology • Atactostelic stem • Inflorescences • Larger female • Arborescent due to primary borne from leaf thickening axils

• Small male flowers

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I. Overview I. Overview

B. Morphology B. Morphology

• Drupe (pitted ) • Drupe (pitted fruit) • Pit delimited by the with fibrous outer wall with fibrous outer wall sclereid-rich inner (“husk”) (“husk”) fruit wall (endocarp)

I. Overview

B. Morphology

• Drupe (pitted fruit) • Pit delimited by the • Pit contains world’s with fibrous outer wall sclereid-rich inner 2nd largest • Double coconut (“husk”) fruit wall (endocarp) of Seychelles

I. Overview •1st regular leaf •3 B. Morphology B. Morphology coleoptile- like • Cotyledon leaves

•1° root + two adv. roots

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II. & Humans

B. Morphology

II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans A. Culture & Literature 1. Etymology A. Culture & Literature “Coco” - a bogeyman in Portuguese lore 2. Iconic of tropical destinations

II. Coconuts & Humans

A. Culture & Literature 3. James A. Michener (1907-1997) • Doylestown native, naval veteran, world traveler • Author of historical fiction • Instrumental in linking the coconut palm & exotic locales in the minds of Americans

Seacrets (Ocean City, MD)

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II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans Some Books & Theatrical Adapations: Some Books & Theatrical Adapations: Tales of the South Pacific (South Pacific) Tales of the South Pacific (South Pacific) Return to Paradise (Return to Paradise)

II. Coconuts & Humans Some Books & Theatrical Adapations: C. Uses Tales of the South Pacific (South Pacific) 1. Whole Plant Return to Paradise (Return to Paradise) • Ornamental Landscaping • Shade Return to Paradise excerpt

And everywhere there were coconut palms. This amazing tree is the life blood of the atoll. Its wood makes furniture, its plaited leaves make fine baskets or hats or carpeting or partitions….The heart of the palm makes the world’s best salad…the husk is perfect insulating material…

As if that were not enough, the liquid within the is a delicious substitute for drinking water and …is so pure that it can be used medically as a completely sterile saline solution… [etc, etc.] A resort un Aruba (Caribbean)

II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 1. Whole Plant 1. Whole Plant • Ornamental Landscaping • Ornamental Landscaping • Shade • Shade

A resort un Aruba (Caribbean) Seacrets (Ocean City, MD)

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II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 1. Whole Plant 2. Leaf & Stem • Ornamental Landscaping • Logs for construction • Shade • Thatch roofs • Weaving materials (hats, mats, partitions)

A resort un Aruba (Caribbean)

II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 3. Whole Fruit 4. Fruit outer wall sclerenchyma fibers •Art • Cordage • Drinking Vessels • Door mats • Basket liners

II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 5. Endocarp sclerenchyma (sclereids) 5. Endocarp sclerenchyma (sclereids) • Jewelry • Jewelry • Tools • Tools • Cups/vessels

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II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 6. Endosperm 6. Endosperm • Meat • Meat • Milk • Milk • Copra & Oil • Copra & Oil •Water •Water

II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 6. Endosperm 6. Endosperm • Meat • Meat • Milk • Milk • Copra & Oil • Copra & Oil •Water •Water

II. Coconuts & Humans II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses C. Uses 6. Endosperm 6. Endosperm • Meat • Meat • Milk •Milk • Copra & Oil • Copra & Oil •Water •Water

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II. Coconuts & Humans C. Uses 6. Endosperm • Meat • Milk • Copra & Oil •Water

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