From the Portuguese meaning monkey, in reference to the appearance of the stripped nut to a monkey face.

A monospecific genus. For description see C. nucifera.

One of the most important tropical crops grown for copra and oils that are used for soaps and in a wide range of food products including drinks, margarine etc. The leaves are used for matting, thatching, and the nut fibre for mats etc.

Fresh coconuts germinate readily in warm conditions after 5-6 months.

Fruit the commercial coconut with 3 basal 'eyes'.

1 species of uncertain origin, now widespread throughout the tropics especially along beaches and on low plains.

Harries (1978).

Source: Jones, D; Spencer, R. (2005). Arecaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.