Dwarf coconut facts for kids
A dwarf coconut is a special kind of coconut palm. Even though it's called "dwarf," these trees can actually grow quite tall, sometimes as high as 50 to 100 feet! The word "dwarf" here means that the tree starts making coconuts much sooner than other types of coconut trees. This makes them popular for farmers because they can harvest coconuts earlier.
Contents
Different Kinds of Dwarf Coconuts
There are many different types of dwarf coconuts around the world. Each one has its own special features. Here are some of them:
- Cameroon Red Dwarf
- Chowghat Dwarf Green
- Chowghat Dwarf Orange
- Coconino
- Eburnea
- Equatorial Guinea Green Dwarf
- Equatorial Guinea Yellow Dwarf
- Fiji Dwarf: This type forms a large, round base at the bottom of its trunk.
- Gangabondam
- Ghana Yellow Dwarf
- Gon Thembili
- Haari Papua
- Kelapa Gading
- Kelapa Radja
- Laccadive Dwarf
- Lakshadweep Dwarf
- Maldive Dwarf
- Mangipod
- Mu-see-Keo
- N'uleka
- Nok-koom
- Pilipog
- Pugai
- Pumila
- Rath Thembli
- Regia
The Malayan Dwarf
The Malayan Dwarf is a very important type of dwarf coconut. These palms are known for the color of their coconuts, which can be ivory yellow, apricot red, or green.
One of the most important things about the Malayan Dwarf is its ability to resist a plant sickness called Lethal Yellowing. This disease can kill coconut trees. In 1956, at Round Hill, Jamaica, scientists noticed that only a very small number of Malayan Dwarf trees got sick from Lethal Yellowing. This resistance makes them a valuable type of coconut palm around the world.
Mixing Coconuts: Hybrid Varieties
Sometimes, different types of coconut palms are crossed to create new, stronger kinds. These are called hybrid varieties.
Dwarf and Tall Hybrids
One example is the Maypan coconut palm. This tree is a mix between a Malayan Dwarf and a Panama Tall coconut tree. It's known as a DwarfxTall hybrid because it combines traits from both.
Another DwarfxTall hybrid is made by crossing the Malayan Dwarf (yellow type) with the West African Tall coconut. In a country called Ivory Coast, this hybrid is known as Mawa, or sometimes Port-Bouet-121.
In India, farmers have also developed many other hybrid coconut varieties by mixing dwarf and tall types. Some popular ones include Sampoorna DxT, Unnati DxT, and Arjuna TxD. These hybrids combine the best features of both parent trees.
Hybrids and Weather Protection
In some coastal areas of eastern India, like West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, strong storms called cyclones often hit. Growing hybrid coconuts helps farmers in these areas. These special trees are often stronger and can survive bad weather better. This acts like a safety net for farmers, helping them protect their crops and their livelihoods when the weather is tough.
