coconut fruit

Description:

Coconuts sprouting. "Cocos nucifera is found throughout the tropics, where it is interwoven into the lives of the local people. It is particularly important in the low islands of the Pacific where, in the absence of land-based natural resources, it provides almost all the necessities of life—food, drink, oil, medicine, fiber, timber, thatch, mats, fuel, and domestic utensils. For good reason, it has been called the “tree of heaven” and “tree of life.” Today it remains an important economic and subsistence crop in many small Pacific island states. Coconut is believed to have its origins in the Indo-Malayan region, from whence it spread throughout the tropics. Today it has wide pantropical distribution."

Habitat:

From several coconut palms growing in a large semi-urban yard & garden.

Notes:

The coconut palm and its produce is ubiquitous (here) and an integral part of the vegetative and market/culinary landscape of coastal northern Papua. We have more than we can deal with. Even though we give them away some go to sprout. But it occurred to me that my familiar fruit may not be so for many community members, especially the newly sprouting plant. In case a view of (one of) the plant (trees) is desired, look here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/790...