The common coconut tree is not the "indigenous" of Hainan.

If you ask what the most common tree in Hainan is, I believe many people will answer "coconut tree". Walking in Hainan, the coconut breeze and the sea rhythm are the most beautiful scenery.

The tall, swaying coconut trees exude a strong tropical atmosphere. But what many people don’t know is that coconut trees are not native to Hainan. So where did coconut trees come from?

There is still no consensus on where the earliest coconut trees originated. Some believe it was in South America, some believe it was in the Malay Archipelago, and some believe it was in Africa. Archaeologists have discovered coconut fossils dating back 1 million years in the alluvial layers of the Melanian Islands in the Pacific Ocean and New Zealand. Some data show that people living on the islands in southeastern Asia had already planted coconut trees about 4,000 years ago. After about the 10th century BC, India developed into a secondary origin center for coconut trees.

Coconut trees are tropical sun-loving crops that grow well in conditions of high temperature, high rainfall, plenty of sunshine and sea breeze. They require an annual average temperature of 24 to 25 degrees, with small temperature differences and no frost throughout the year, so that they can bloom and bear fruit normally. The most suitable growth temperature is 26 to 27 degrees.

The shell of coconut is hard and thin, and the fibrous tissue is full of air, which is conducive to drifting. When mature coconuts fall on the beach or in the sea, they are brought to a suitable environment by warm and humid ocean currents, where they will take root and sprout, and gradually grow into a forest.

In summer, the southwest monsoon prevails in the western South China Sea, and the direction of the ocean current is also from southwest to northeast. The ocean current coming from the southern South China Sea can transport coconuts from the Malay Archipelago and the coast of Indochina Peninsula all the way to the eastern coast of Hainan Island.

Wenchang, located in the northeast of Hainan Island, blocks the summer ocean currents along the coast of Hainan Island, making Dongjiao in the south of Wenchang the best place for coconuts to grow . This also confirms the saying "Half of Hainan's coconuts are from Wenchang, and half of Wenchang's coconuts are from Dongjiao."

Coconut trees are loved by people and are the provincial tree of Hainan Province . They represent the spirit of perseverance. Coconut trees are also full of treasures . As early as the 1990s, people made coconut candy and coconut powder. Nowadays, raw coconut latte is popular on the market. The endless coconut products not only add high-quality consumption options for consumers, but also bring huge economic benefits to Hainan farmers.

Note: The content is based on Hainan Daily, and the pictures are from the Internet. They are only used as popular science materials. If there is any infringement, please contact us.