Maypan coconut palm facts for kids
The Maypan is a special type of coconut tree. It's a mix of two different coconut varieties, created to be strong against a serious plant sickness called Lethal Yellowing disease. This disease can kill coconut trees.
Scientists in Jamaica first made the Maypan in 1962. They carefully crossed two kinds of Cocos nucifera (the scientific name for coconut trees). After many tests to see how well it fought the disease and how many coconuts it produced, it was officially named 'Maypan' in 1974. This was when they found a good way to grow many of these special trees.
What Makes the Maypan Special?
The Maypan is a Dwarf x Tall hybrid. This means it's a cross between a smaller coconut tree and a taller one. The "mother" trees are Malayan Dwarf coconuts. These are grown in a special garden and are always kept from pollinating themselves. Instead, they are pollinated by hand using pollen from a tall variety called Panama Tall.
Why This Mix is Great
This combination gives the Maypan some amazing qualities:
- It gets its strong resistance to Lethal Yellowing disease from the Malayan Dwarf parent.
- It gets its ability to stand up to strong winds and storms from the Panama Tall parent.
The Maypan tree can grow to about 18 meters (about 60 feet) tall.
Maypan's Resistance to Disease
Since the 1990s, some people have wondered if the Maypan and its parent trees are still as resistant to Lethal Yellowing disease as once thought. However, the Maypan and other similar hybrid coconuts are still the top choice for planting in countries in the Caribbean and Latin America where this disease is a problem. They are still considered the best option to help coconut farms survive.
