The seedling grows
very rapidly, producing leaves from the growing point
at the tip of the stem. Early leaves are ‘entire’,
which means that each has a single large blade comprising
leaflets that are joined at the edges. Later leaves display
separated lower leaflets, while the upper ones remain
joined. Before long, a leaf emerges on which all the
leaflets are separated, and this form of leaf is referred
to as a frond. Eventually the trunk will be ringed at
intervals by leaf scars.
Flowering begins after 6-7 years. Inflorescences (flowering heads) are borne
in the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem). As the flowers contain nectaries
and are sweet scented, it is thought that they may attract insects for pollination.
However, as the pollen is light and dry, there may also be some wind pollination.
Coconut palms can grow as tall as 30m and flower 13 times
a year, producing a harvest of as many as 65-75 fruits,
ready to be harvested for one of the many uses described
below.
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