Coconut Roots and there uses – Racines de cocotier et leurs usages

The base of the trunk of a coconut tree is usually more or less swollen in the shape of a cone. Below ground level the trunk has the shape of an inverted cone, the root bulb. The largest roots, called of order 1, are 3,000 to 5,000 per adult tree, and do not exceed 1 cm in diameter. Until an advanced age of the coconut palm, they start from the entire surface and have the particularity of keeping the direction they had when leaving the bulb. Initially yellowish-white in color, they quickly take on a light red hue which darkens as they age. 
The roots of order 1, non-absorbent, carry roots of order 2 which themselves carry roots of order 3 ending in rootlets which are the organs of absorption of minerals and water. Rootlets generally have a very short life, and regenerate continuously.
  1. CRM. Medicinal Uses - Usages médicinaux
  2. CRO. Other uses - Autres usages des racines
A poster about the use of coconut palm
to figth marine erosion
For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least three large size HD posters (up to 180x100 cm in size). A first poster could concern the morphology of roots, and their importance in the fight against coastal or rain erosion. A second poster would describe medicinal preparations made from coconut palm roots and their use. A third poster could show crafts made from coconut tree roots. 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.
Use of coconut roots in carving

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Coconut tree replanted upside down, landscaping
and humor on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia.

The trunk of the coconut tree, over its entire length, retains the ability
to send out roots throughout its life when it is in contact with a humid
environment and sheltered from light,  as on this coconut tree
which bent down and which was in contact with the sand
before the sea erosion removed part of the soil. Photo V.S. Tuia.
©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section  CR
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