The most common type of coconut palm in Gambia is the type belonging to the Arecaceae (Palmae) family called the Cocos nucifera. History of cultivation: Origin of C. nucifera is disputed but evidence favours Southeast Asia, with subsequent migration east and west, to the Pacific and Latin America, and to India, Madagascar and East Africa. Coconuts did not reach The Gambia in West Africa until they were taken there by the Portuguese, around the Cape of Good Hope, after AD 1500. Natural Habitat: C. nucifera is unknown in the wild state. In the coastal areas of the tropics and subtropics where it is grown, it requires a hot, moist climate and deep alluvial or loamy soil, thriving especially near the seaboard, but also considerable distance inland, provided climatic conditions and soil are suitable. Rocky, laterite or stagnant soils are unsuitable. Geographic distribution: Along the beach areas of Banjul, down south to Kartong as well as some way inland and past Brikama. Biophysical limits: Altitude: 520-900 metres, Mean annual temperature: 20-28 deg. C, Mean annual rainfall: 1000-1500 mm Soil type: C. nucifera is tolerant to soil variations but its natural preference is for sandy, well-aerated and well-drained soils. It has considerable ability to adapt to soils of heavier texture. Reproductive Biology: The tall varieties reproduce by cross-pollination. Male flowers open first, producing pollen for about 2 weeks. Female flowers are not usually receptive until about 3 weeks after the opening of the inflorescence, making cross-pollination the usual pattern. Wind coming from the Atlantic Ocean is the main pollinating agent. Reproduction in dwarf varieties is generally through self -pollination. Female flowers are receptive about a week after the male flowers open, both ending at about the same time. C. nucifera flowers approximately after the 6th year. Propagation methods: Seed has no dormancy, and growth of embryo and seedling is continuous. Germination may begin while the fruits are still attached to the palm tree. Tissue culture is a popular method of vegetative propagation for producing a large number of progeny. For seed propagation, nuts are collected from selected mother palms or special seed gardens. Products: Food: Copra, the dried coconut endosperm, contains an edible cooking oil (coconut oil). The apical region of C. nucifera is a food delicacy in areas where it is grown. Other food derivatives of coconut include coconut chips, coconut jam, coconut honey, coconut candy and other desserts. Fuel: The high moisture content of C. nucifera palm wood and the difficulty of splitting it has made it relatively unpopular as firewood. Coconut shell charcoal is a minor part of fuel wood. Fibre: Three types of fibres are obtained from the coconut husks: mat fibre or yarn fibre, used in making baskets, mats; bristle fibre, used for brush making; and mattress fibre, used in stuffing mattresses and in upholstery. Leaflets are used in braiding mats, baskets and Samakat (cattle herders') hats. Timber: C. nucifera timber has traditionally been used in Gambia for the structural framework of houses. Coconut timber taken from the lower and middle parts of the trunk can be used for load-bearing structures in buildings, such as frames, floors and trusses. Coconut trunks can be used for poles, as they have great flexibility and strength. The wood can also be used for furniture and parquet flooring when sufficiently polished. Lipids: The oil contains fatty alcohol and glycerine used in soaps, detergents, shampoos, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.. Alcohol: Sap from the tender, unopened inflorescence (coconut palm tree sap) is used in the producing areas for an alcoholic beverage obtained by natural fermentation. This drink contains 6-7.5% alcohol. The distillation of fermented coconut toddy yields a spirit called Cana, produced on a small-scale commercial basis in Gambia. Other products: Coconut-shell flour, obtained from grinding clean, mature coconut shells to fine powder, is used as an abrasive for cleaning machinery. Coconut-shell charcoal may be processed further into activated carbon that has many industrial applications.