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Cocos nucifera

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Arecales Family: Arecaceae Genus: Cocos

coconut palm, niu

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Tree 30 m tall.

Stems: Trunk usually somewhat curved from an often thickened base, unbranched (rare branched individuals have been observed in some populations in the Central Pacific (Kiribati) but not, as far as we know, in Hawaiʻi).

Roots: Fibrous root system.

Leaves: Leaves simple (but appearing compound due to secondary splitting of the blade into leaflets). Alternate, spiral. Blades with overall leaf shape elliptic, leaflets linear, leaves up to 6 m long, sometimes longer, leaf segments up to 1 m long. Base petiolate. Leaflet margins entire. Veins parallel. Petiolate. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences up to 1.8 m long; flowers yellow, fragrant, staminate ones 1–1.5 cm long, pistillate ones ca. 2.5 cm in diameter. Flowers unisexual (and the plants monoecious). Calyx of 3 sepals. Corolla of 3 petals. Stamens 6. Ovary superior, 3-carpellate, but usually only a single carpel fertile.

Fruit: Fruit 20–30 cm or more long. Seeds large; hollow; containing a large quantity of liquid.

Ploidy: 2n = 32

Habitat: Widely cultivated; persisting; and sparingly naturalized in areas of previous cultivation; primarily coastal sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Synonyms (58)

Calappa nucifera (L.) Kuntze (1891)
Cocos indica Royle (1840)
Cocos mamillaris Blanco (1837)
Cocos nana Griff. (1851)
Cocos nucifera f. palmyrensis Becc. (1916)
Cocos nucifera var. alangan Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. alba Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. angustifolia Hassk. (1844)
Cocos nucifera var. aurea Anon. (1908)
Cocos nucifera var. austera Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. bego Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. buri Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. calimbahin Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. capuliformis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. cistiformis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. como Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. crassissima Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. delicata Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. eburnea Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. edulis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. elongata Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. fibrosa Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. fragilis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. humilis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. iners Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. javanica G.V.Narayana (1949)
Cocos nucifera var. laetevirens Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. lansiformis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. lolog Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. machaeroides Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. macrocarpa Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. maldivica Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. mamillaris (Blanco) Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. microcarpa Hassk. ex F.W.T.Hunger (1916)
Cocos nucifera var. nana (Griff.) G.V.Narayana (1949)
Cocos nucifera var. ossea Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. palmyrensis (Becc.) Becc. (1916)
Cocos nucifera var. pinang Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. pretiosa Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. pruniformis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. pumila Hassk. (1842)
Cocos nucifera var. regia Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. rubescens Hassk. (1842)
Cocos nucifera var. rutila Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. saccharina Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. sapida Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. spicata K.C.Jacob (1940)
Cocos nucifera var. stupposa Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. suavis Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. subamara Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. subcandida Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. synphyllica Becc. (1916)
Cocos nucifera var. tabogog Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. tamisan Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. tenuissima Blume (1847)
Cocos nucifera var. viridis Hassk. (1842)
Diplothemium henryanum F.Br. (1931)
Palma cocos Mill. (1768)

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Coconut cream combined with cooked, mashed 'uala to make ko'elepalau

  • Coconut cream combined with cooked, mashed kalo to make kulolo

  • Coconut cream combined with cooked, mashed pia to make haupia

  • Fibrous cover of developing fronds used to strain poi

  • Fibrous leaf sheath used to strain grated niu to make coconut cream

  • Husk fibers used to make cordage

  • Kapu for women

  • Liquid in coconuts used for drinking; meat of coconuts grated and either added to cooked dishes or strained to prepare coconut cream

  • Niu (coconut) has many uses. The trunks used to make house posts, small canoes, hula drums, or food containers (Handy et al. 1972:173–175). Leaves (launiu) used to for baskets, thatch and for fans, known as some of the finest in Polynesia (Abbott 1993:61, 76; Summers 1990:75–78). Leaf sheaths used as food or fish-bait wrappers (Handy et al. 1972:173). Husk fibers also used for cordage to make nets or lashing, known as 'aha (Summers 1990:75); the cordage could be coarse or fine. The cordage can be made into supports for ‘umeke (bowls) or other round-based objects. Shell of fruit was used for eating utensils, such as spoons, bowls, plates, as well as ‘awa cups and strainers for ‘awa. An historic period piece in the Bishop Museum ethnology collection is in the form of a goblet. Niu shells also served for storage containers, lids, and knee drums or puniu (Krauss 1993:80–87; Handy et al. 1972:173–175); the fibers are made into a drum beater. A musical instrument, the hokiokio, can also be made from coconut shell. Small mortars and bull roarers (oeoe) are also made from the niu shell (Krauss 1993:45, 98–99). Niu water used as a drink, and flesh eaten raw or with poi (Handy et al. 1972:171. Some of the most familiar preparations of niu were not developed by ancient Hawaiians. Sometimes the niu "shell" used to make ‘uli‘uli (hula rattles) (Handy et al.1972:174). Oil from meat used on body and hair (Handy et al. 1972:174). In the Bishop Museum ethnology collection there are examples of the husk fibers used as kapa and a brush, and the leaves and husk as part of a game. The wood could be fashioned into an ‘ukeke, or musical bow. The mid-rib of the niu leaf is used as the "skewer" for a kukui nut torch (kali lukui) (Abbott 1992:77). Some recognize two forms introduced by Polynesians: niu hiwa (dark green husk and black shell) used ceremonially, medicinally and for cooking; niu lelo (reddish yellow husk and yellow shell), used for secular purposes, not for medicine or ceremonies (Handy et al. 1972:170; Summers 1990:75–78). In the Bishop Museum Ethnology collection there is an example of a post-contact bowl made from the trunk of the niu.

  • Niu flesh, oil, leaf buds, and water were used in numerous medicines (see other plants). These include formulations for lepo pa‘a (constipation), ‘ea (thrush), pa‘ao‘ao, and the "illness related to lolo"; in addition, the leaf bud is made into a topical medicine for ‘eha moku kukonukonu and ‘eha ‘ulia wale (Chun 1998:41).

  • Religious offering

CULTURE

  • legends attributing introduction of nut to the island of Hawaii by Aukele-nui-aiku and his brother Kane-Apua and to Oahu by Pokai

  • Kinolau of Ku, Niuolahiki.

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • early establishment of two varieties of niu: niu hiwa with dark green husk and black shell and niu lelo with reddish-yellow exterior and yellowish shell

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Kamole(Laysan Island) Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 1188 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1362 (La, Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:617 (KEY), 620 (DESCR); Wichman & St. John 1990 (remove Ni [plants only noted as cult.])

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.16,17,19,28,33,34,35

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cocos nucifera Laie; BYU campus, near married student housing units Planted ornamentally in parks and along avenues. Preserved_Specimen Gilmore, M.A. 10024 Oahu BISH 1977-03-31
2 Cocos nucifera Kalaupapa, Community, ocean side of Bayview, N side of pool hall landscaped Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 854 Molokai BISH 2006-01-25
3 Cocos nucifera [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Common on beaches and as street tree. Preserved_Specimen Little Jr., E.L. 31203 Oahu BISH 1976-09-12
4 Cocos nucifera Laie; In TVA at Brigham Young University 5% slope, clay loam soil. Grown as an ornamental. Preserved_Specimen White, P.T. 5 Oahu BISH 1977-04-12
5 Cocos nucifera Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District The plant is more common in the lower part of the reserve. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 79.252 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-05
6 Cocos nucifera Honolulu; Bishop Museum grounds, near entrance to research staff wing Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 1702 Oahu BISH 1984-08-19
7 Cocos nucifera Waimea District; Nualolo Kai Moist hollow, several young trees recently planted. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 26665 Kauai BISH 1965-04-22
8 Cocos nucifera Halawa A dozen trees by an old home site. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12718 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
9 Cocos nucifera Punaluu; Green Valley Road, Punahuu Ranch Scattered in rocky, clay soil. Preserved_Specimen Avilla, J.J. Oahu BISH 1975-04-04
10 Cocos nucifera Kalaupapa, Community, ocean side of Bayview, N side of pool hall landscaped Preserved_Specimen Wysong, M.L. 854 Molokai BISH 2006-01-25
11 Cocos nucifera Halepuaa Forest Reserve int eh Puna District Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 79.262 Hawaii BISH 1979-03-10
12 Cocos nucifera Kona, Kekaha Kai State Park HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/23/2017
13 Cocos nucifera Puna, Kapoho HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/22/2018
14 Cocos nucifera Hakipuu, Palai Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 2295 Oahu BISH 1936-10-01
15 Cocos nucifera Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Halape HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 1/19/2020
16 Cocos nucifera Kona HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 9/5/2010
17 Cocos nucifera Honolulu; State Capitol grounds Preserved_Specimen Hartt, C.E. Oahu BISH 1949-02-21
18 Cocos nucifera [Hawaiian Islands; U.S.A.; O`ahu; Hawai`i; Honolulu] Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1925-11-01
19 Cocos nucifera Honolulu; State Capitol grounds Preserved_Specimen Hartt, C.E. Oahu BISH 1946-02-21
20 Cocos nucifera Foster Gardens Preserved_Specimen Potter, C. Oahu BISH 1958-09-11
21 Cocos nucifera Puna, Pohoiki Beach HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/26/2018
22 Cocos nucifera Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 7/26/2018
23 Cocos nucifera Kona, Kekaha Kai State Park, Mahaiula Bay HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/21/2016
24 Cocos nucifera Kapuaiwa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Molokai 6/2/2015
25 Cocos nucifera Koko Crater BG HUMAN_OBSERVATION 1627511128 Oahu HAPI 11/20/2011
26 Cocos nucifera North Kohala, Lapakahi State Historical Park HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/27/2018
27 Cocos nucifera Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kamoamoa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 12/22/2011
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