Coconut palm

Coconut palms leaning over empty beaches are the picture-postcard image of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The coconut palm is a slender palm with an arching trunk, growing to 25–30 m, with a plume of long, pinnate leaves. Its fruits, known as coconuts, have a fibrous husk that lets them float and travel thousands of kilometres by sea. Young fruits contain refreshing coconut water, while mature ones have hard, oily flesh that is made into copra, oil and coconut milk. The palm tolerates salinity and strong winds well.

Significance in the country

Coconut palms grow along almost the entire coastline of both islands; coconut milk is an important ingredient of fish dishes, and the water from young fruits is a popular drink.

Where it grows

Along the coasts of both islands – especially on the beaches of northern and eastern São Tomé and on Príncipe, including Praia Banana.

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