Coconut

The nut or seed of the coco-palm, whose white flesh may be eaten. It was probably cultivated in Southeast Asia by 3000 BC and then spread by Austronesians through the Pacific and eventually to central America, India, and East Africa. Charred fruits occur in western Melanesian sites back to c 3000 BC. The coconut must always have been of importance in coastal tropical economics owing to its enormous range of uses. It has high salt-tolerance and the seed (the coconut itself) is easy to transport.

Cocos nucífera was probably being cultivated by AuSTRONESiAN-speakers in Island Southeast Asia by 3000 bc, although early history is obscure owing to the absence of a wild ancestral form. The palm was undoubtedly spread by Austronesians through the Pacific, perhaps eventually to the Pacific coast of central America, and westwards to India and East Africa. Charred fruits occur in Western Melanesian sites back to c3000 BC, and the coconut must always have been of importance in coastal tropical economies owing to its enormous range of uses. It has high salt-tolerance and the seed (the coconut itself) is easy to transport.