Plant · GBIF taxon 2735117
Cocos nucifera
cocos nuciferaAlso known as Coconut Tree, Coconut Palm, Niu, Coco Palm
Coconut palms dominate tropical shorelines worldwide, utilizing buoyant, water-resistant husks to drift across vast oceans and colonize distant beaches. Flexible ringed trunks yield to violent storm winds while dense networks of fibrous roots anchor coastal soils against ocean erosion. Year-round canopy growth supports large clusters of heavy nuts that shape island ecosystems and coastal microclimates.
TropicalPalm TreeCoastal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
- Coconut Crab
- Red Palm Weevil
ThreatsLethal yellowing phytoplasma, beetle infestations, severe storms
HabitatsTropical beaches, coastal plains, humid lowlands
Life span60 to 80 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArecales
- FamilyArecaceae
- GenusCocos
- Speciescocos nucifera
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe, though heavy falling coconuts present an overhead hazard beneath mature palms.
Responsible observation
- Overhead Caution: Avoid sitting directly beneath heavy fruiting clusters on tall trees.
- Trunk Identification: Look for distinct circular leaf scars spiraling upward along the slender trunk.
Seed Feeder (c) David Stanley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Herbivore (c) Ken Puliafico, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken Puliafico · cc-by
Family Member (c) Fabrício Mil Homens Riella, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fabrício Mil Homens Riella · cc-by
Family Member (c) Ashley Basil, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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