# Coconut Palm (*Coconut palm phytoplasma*) The Coconut Palm is a tall tree that grows coconuts! Its long, slender trunk and swaying leaves make it look like it's dancing in the breeze. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Tropical beaches and coastal areas - **Also known as:** Coco Palm, Coconut Tree ![Coconut Palm](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425912/objects/4836.jpg) ## Appearance The Coconut Palm has a tall, slender, unbranched grey trunk, often leaning, topped with a crown of large, green feathery fronds. Its distinctive brown, globe-shaped coconuts hang beneath the leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Arecales - **Family:** Arecaceae - **Genus:** Cocos ## Interesting facts - Coconut palms are often called 'the tree of life' because of their many uses! - Coconut water is sterile inside an unopened coconut, used as an IV fluid in emergencies! - The 'milk' inside coconuts is actually liquid endosperm from the developing seed! - The fibrous husk of a coconut can be used to make strong ropes and doormats! ## Special abilities - **Ocean Explorer:** Coconut Palm has buoyant fruits that can float across oceans, helping them colonize distant islands. - **Salt Shield:** Coconut Palm can filter out saltwater through its roots, allowing it to thrive on coastal beaches. - **Self-Watering Fruit:** Coconut Palm grows fruits filled with refreshing water, providing hydration even in dry environments. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 18-30 m - **Spread:** 5-8 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 30-40 cm - **Lifespan:** 60-100 years - **Fruit Type:** Fibrous drupe - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Evergreen ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — raids coconuts on the ground and in trees - **Eats:** Crab-eating Macaque (*Macaca fascicularis*) — expertly opens and consumes coconuts for food - **Shelter:** Brown Noddy (*Anous stolidus*) — nests within the palm fronds, safe from predators - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — cultivates and harvests coconuts for food and materials ## Traits - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Oil Crop](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/oil-crop): This human use trait identifies species cultivated as oil crops, harvested for their seeds or fruits from which vegetable oils are extracted for food, fuel, or industrial uses. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Coconut Palm? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Coconut Palm? 18-30 m ### How wide does Coconut Palm spread? 5-8 m ### Is Coconut Palm edible? Yes ### How big is Coconut Palm? 30-40 cm ### How long does Coconut Palm live? 60-100 years ### Where is Coconut Palm usually found? Tropical beaches and coastal areas ### What kind of fruit does Coconut Palm produce? Fibrous drupe ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Boca Chita Key Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boca-chita-key-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Lihue Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lihue-civic-center-historic-district) — Hawaii, US · Historic District [View all places to see Coconut Palm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/coconut-palm) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Coconut Palm: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coconut-palm)