Varietal identification– Identification des variétés

Identification of main coconut varietal types according to the shape of the stem (trunk).
From left to right: Compact Dwarf, Malayan-type Dwarf, Tall-types from Africa and Indian
Ocean Region, Tall-types from Asia and the Pacific Region.

The coconut stem is relatively smooth and pale in colour, with regular markings: each frond produced by the palm leaves a crescent-shaped leaf scar. It is possible to distinguish between the two types of coconut palm, Talls and Dwarfs, by the gaps between the scars. In Tall palms, the gap between two leaf scars is more than 5 cm, whereas it does not exceed 2.5 cm in Dwarfs. Dwarf coconuts varieties are the easiest to identify. Each variety described is fairly uniform and has particular features that help to distinguish it from other Dwarf varieties.

Leaf bases and leaf scars for Dwarfs (left) and Tall-types (right) 

Four kinds of coconut palms, and their possible hybrids
Most coconut palms (90 ‒ 95 %) are characterised as Tall types (Talls). Because they readily cross-pollinate, they generally form mixed and quite heterogeneous populations that are fast-growing, to a maximum height of about 30 m, with an economic life span of 60 to 70 years.
Around 5‒10% of coconut palms are characterised as Dwarf types, often called Dwarfs, Fragile Dwarfs or Malayan-Type Dwarfs. They grow more slowly, reaching generally a maximum height of about 15m. They have a 30 to 40-year productive lifespan and usually start flowering 12 to 30 months after field planting. Male and female flowers open at the same time; self-pollination occurs within the same palm. Because of their prolific fruiting and rapid flowering. they play an important role in hybrid seednut production.
The remaining 5 ‒ 10% of palms are described as either Compact Dwarf types or Semi-Tall types
In Compact Dwarfs the male and female flowers usually open at different times. They have a short thick stem and wide leaflets and are mainly found in the Pacific region.
The Semi-Tall types (not pictured here) possess features that lie between those of Dwarfs and Talls. The most famous is the King Coconut from Sri Lanka.
Farmers, gardeners and scientists can make crosses using parents from either within or between these four different types of coconut palms. Crosses are generally made by using two distinct coconut varieties, with the pollen recipient as the mother palm, and the pollen donor as the father palm. Such crossings are generally called hybrids. Hybrids can be made using two different types of coconut palms, or within the same type. The most common hybrids are crosses between Dwarf and Tall types, followed by Tall x Tall. Dwarf x Dwarf hybrids, and hybrids using the Compact Dwarfs  and Semi-Tall types as parents have not yet been released to farmers, although some have been tested experimentally by breeders in research centres.


©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CAGV.
For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least one large size HD poster (up to 180x100 cm in size). These posters should be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature locally produced coconut products, and to promote the marketing of these local products. It is also possible to buy or rent items from the personal collection of Dr R. Bourdeix. This section will help to answer the following frequent questions:
  • How do I identify a coconut?
  • What are the different types of coconuts?
  • How many types of coconuts are they?
  • How do you identify a dwarf coconut tree?
  • How can you tell if a coconut is hybrid?
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Molecular SRR analysis profiles
to identify coconut varieties.
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