The coconut palm (also, cocoanut), Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae(palm family). It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not anut. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word. The term is derived from 16th-century Portuguese and Spanishcoco, meaning "head" or "skull", from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features.
Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts.Coconuts are part of the daily diets of many people. Its endosperm is known asthe edible "flesh" of the coconut; when dried it is called copra.he oil andmilk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.
