| Photo Information |
| Copyright: pradeep sz (pradeepsz) (49) |
| Genre: Places |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2006-01-04 |
| Categories: Daily Life |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2007-04-03 4:49 |
| Viewed: 619 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Coconut trees are essential to the traditional lifestyle and livelihood of the people of Kerala, as you will see when you travel on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.
The coconut tree grows to a height of 25 m. The trunk has rings indicating each years growth and the top of the tree bears a bunch of long feather like leaves. A very graceful sight, a mature coconut tree, produces 50-100 nuts in a year. Each coconut is between 12-18 inches and is oval in shape. The nuts grow in bunches at the top of the tree trunk. The green outer covering of each fruit has an inner layer of husk, with a hard-shelled kernel filled with juice and flesh. This is edible part of the coconut is actually the endosperm meant to nourish the seed of the coconut tree.
Every part of the coconut tree is used in some way. The many uses of the fruit have been described above. The trunk of the coconut tree is used for its wood to make beams in traditional houses and the coconut palm's leaves are used to thatch houses and weave mats, baskets and other useful household items. The husk of the coconut is used to produce coir, which is woven into ropes, doormats and furnishing material. The curved shell of the coconut is used to make spoons and ladles. Every part of the coconut tree is put to some use. Coconuts in Kerala, are more than just a beautiful part of the landscape or an essential element in Kerala cuisine. |
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