Coconut is a kind of coconut plant in Palmae, with stout petiole and axillary inflorescence. The fruit is ovoid or nearly spherical, and the fruit cavity contains endosperm (namely "pulp" or seed kernel), embryo and juice (coconut water). The flowering and fruiting period is mainly in autumn.
I. Introduction
1. sea coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) is also called double coconut. It is a palm unique to Pralan Island and Guri Island in Seychelles, with a height of 20-30 meters. The leaves are fan-shaped, 2 meters wide and 7 meters long. The largest leaf area can reach 27 square meters, just like the two big ears of an elephant. Because the whole tree is huge, it is also called "the image in the tree".
2. Sea coconut flowers are dioecious on huge fleshy spikes. The fruit is covered with a fleshy fibrous skin, and the nut-like part inside is usually 2 petals, like two coconuts. It is edible, but it has no commercial value. Sea coconut is the largest known fruit, and it takes about 10 years to mature.
Second, the morphological characteristics
1. evergreen tree. The trunk is straight, 15-30m high, single crown and neat. Leaves pinnately divided, 4-6 meters long, multi-lobed, leathery, linear-lanceolate, 65- 100 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, and tapering at the apex; Petiole stout, more than 1 m long. The inflorescence of Buddha flame is axillary, 1.5-2 meters long and multi-branched. Male flowers are clustered in the upper part of branches, and female flowers are scattered in the lower part; Male calyx 3, scaly, 3-4 mm long, petals 3, leathery, oval, and 1- 1.5 cm long; 6 stamens; The female flower has several bracteoles at the base. Sepals leathery, round, about 2.5 cm wide. Petals are similar to sepals, but smaller.
2. The nut is obovate or nearly spherical, with a slightly triangular top and a length of 15-25cm. There are three germination holes near the base of the endocarp, and the seed is 1 grain. There is a cavity rich in juice in the endosperm. Sea coconut fruit is 35~50 cm wide. Sea coconut has a spongy fibrous shell outside, and peeling off the shell is a nut. A fruit of sea coconut weighs 25 kilograms, including 15 kilograms of nuts. It is the largest nut in the world and is called "the heaviest coconut".
Third, the distribution range.
Curry Island, Pralan Island, Seychelles.
Fourth, the growth environment
Sea coconut can float on the sea, but it can't grow on the beach, and it can't grow away from home with the sea. Therefore, sea coconut is only produced in Seychelles.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) main values
1. The juice in the sea coconut kernel is thick and gelatinous, with mellow taste. It can also be used for brewing wine, and the pulp can be taken in soup to treat chronic cough and stop bleeding. The coconut shell of sea coconut can be used as an ornament after being carved and inlaid.
2. Sea coconut pulp is white and delicious, nourishing yin and strengthening yang, and can also treat diseases such as stroke and mental irritability.