Coconut

Fiddle and bow
MFA# 1982.12

Description

Coconut cup
MFA# 33.60

The hard ovoid shaped fruit of the coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera) native to the tropics. Coconuts have a fibrous outer husk (see Coir) and a woody inner shell which contains the coconut meat (copra) and juice (white liquid). Coconut shells range in diameter from 8 to 14 inches.

Synonyms and Related Terms

coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera); coconut shells; kokos (Dan.); Kokosnuss (Deut.); Kokosnusspalme (Deut.); cocotero (Esp.); coco (Esp., Fr., Port.); cocotier (Fr.); coqueiro (Port.); kokospalme (Ned.); kokosnoot (Ned.); Palma kokosowa (Pol.); kokosnöt (Sven.); kokospalm (Sven.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Tree height = up to 30 m
• Bark = light gray brown with rings
• Palm leaves = 4-6 m

Additional Images

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  Coconut palm Cocos nucifera

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  Coconut cut in half

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  Mask with coconut fiber
  MFA# 1991.1074

Resources and Citations

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: coconut palm" [Accessed September 22, 2003].

• Virginia Tech Dencrology website at www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 3, 2005)

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut (Accessed Oct. 3, 2005)