Are you what that thing growing on your palm tree is or just saw one and want to know more about it? Well, this blog post is for you!
Coconuts are known to grow on palm trees, but some kinds of palms can also grow peaches, dates, oil fruits, and jelly fruits. Palm trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but not all of them yield fruits or coconuts.
There is more to know about palm trees than you might think.
What grows on palm trees?
Palm trees have been around for at least sixty-five million years. They are thought to be one of the oldest types of plant life on Earth. It is believed that they were originally found in North America but migrated across continents through seeds being planted by birds, wind currents, and humans over time.
Palms are a type of tree that is native to many regions around the world. They grow in warmer climates and have been used as symbols for life, fertility, and victory throughout history. The leaves on palm trees often provide shade and shelter from the sun which makes them popular choices for landscaping or living near beaches.
Coconuts
We all know that coconuts grow on palm trees. They are also known as water nuts, but most people know them simply by their coconut name. Coconuts have a hard outer shell that protects their seed inside from the elements and predators.
They can be used as a food source, for making beverages like coconut water, and even as dyes for clothing.
Coconuts are relatively new to the scene in terms of when they were discovered. They are believed to have made their debut around two thousand BC on Indian soil. Once humans found them they quickly spread all over the world.
Coconuts can be prepared in a variety of ways and eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or used for drinks like coconut water and tea. They are often pressed into oil which is then used to cook with or added to other recipes as well. Coconuts have been popularly referenced throughout history due to their importance in different cultures.
Dates
Some palm trees grow fruit called dates. These can either be fresh or used in making wine. There are over 3500 species of palm trees throughout the world with about 600 of them able to produce dates.
Dates are a fruit that can be used in many different recipes and eaten raw as well. They have been an important part of the diets of people living in arid areas such as Africa, Asia, and North America due to their accessibility and shelf life which makes them easy to transport long distances before they spoil.
Dates are often dried before eaten but can also be cooked into different kinds of meals like desserts, loaves of bread, and even on their own or with other fruits as a side dish to main courses. Dates have had many uses throughout history in cultures around the world for both food and medicinal purposes. They were used by ancient Egyptians to help treat digestive problems, malaria, and even heart conditions.
Jelly palm fruit
The jelly palm, also known as “butia capitata” is a small palm tree that is native to South America. This plant can grow up to 15 feet and lives for about twenty years. It produces a fruit called jelly fruit which some people call “pindos”.
These are also considered to be dates, but most people see them as a fruit that is independent of dates. The fruits taste like grapes when they are ripe and can be made into jelly, jam, or marmalade.
Jelly palm fruit has been an important part of South American cuisine throughout history. The leaves on the jelly palm are strong and flexible which some people use to make hats, bags, mats, baskets, brooms, fans, or even furniture.
The fruits that grow on these trees can be eaten fresh or dried and used as a sweetener for drinks like coffee, tea, milk shakes, or even cocktails.
Jelly palm fruit has been an important part of the diets in South America since ancient times due to its low cost and easy accessibility throughout history. They have also had many uses outside of being food by providing materials that can be made into other things like hats, bags, mats, furniture, and more.
Peach palm fruit
These grow on a palm tree that is native to the tropical forests of central and south America. The fruits are about five inches long and the flesh of these fruits can be orange-yellow in color when ripe and have one large seed inside.
The fruits are used in many ways. The leaves can be eaten, the stems of these trees can be cooked and made into desserts like soups or stews, while the fruit itself is often dried or even fermented to create wine.
Peach palm has been an important part of South American culture since ancient times due to its easy accessibility and affordability.
Oil palm fruit
The African oil palm tree produces an orange to dark red looking fruit that gets 1,5 inches long. It can be used for cooking, cosmetics, and biodiesel. The oil is pressed from the pulp of the fruit and is often referred to as palm kernel oil or palmitic acid.
The oil from these fruits is also known for its positive effects on the skin when applied topically which has led to uses in the cosmetic industry.
Palm oil is a colorless to yellowish liquid that has no smell. It can be used in the manufacture of shampoos, soaps, and toothpaste as well as many types of food such as cookies, chocolate bars, and ice cream. Palm Oil comes from African palm tree fruit pulp or kernel from which it is extracted using cold-pressing.
The United States imports about half a million tons of edible palm oil each year with 70 percent of it coming from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Final thoughts
While it is true that not all palm trees produce fruit or coconuts there are still many other positive things. Palm tree farms provide homes for animals such as monkeys so they aren’t cut down in order to harvest the fruit. They also provide shade and shelter from the elements which are great for human health as well!
Palm trees are very versatile plants that can be used in many different ways, both commercially and socially. The world would not be one-tenth of what it is today without them so let us all appreciate palms even more because they depend on us now more than ever.
