Coconut Varieties in Sri Lanka

Most people are unaware of the local coconuts cultivated in Sri Lanka. Often due to the superstition in society and following the non-updating instructions, not a single coconut tree can get the maximum results.

In coconut cultivation, it is indeed difficult to identify the exact type of coconut. This is because coconut is a monoecious plant (i.e., male and female flowers in the same plant), and some plants self-pollinate, and some coconut plants cross-pollinate. During cross-pollination, the resulting coconut seedlings can cause more or less a combination of the characteristics of the mother plant and the father plant, or both.

Different names are used for the same variety, even in other areas. Since this leads to many issues and misconceptions, using the names given under scientific categorization is always prudent.

Dr. D.V. Liyanage 1958 presented a report to the Coconut Research Institute identifying three main varieties and thirteen sub-varieties of coconuts in Sri Lanka. Three main varieties categorized according to their morphology and breeding behaviour are shown below:

  1. Typica – (The popular Sri Lanka Tall – SLT)
  2. Nana (Draft)
  3. Arantiaca (Intermediate)

(D.V., M.R.T. , & C., 1988)

Typica

Subtypes of Typica coconut

1. Tall Type

2.Navasi

3.Gon Thembili

4.Ran Thembili

5.Pora pol

6.Bodiri

7.Kamandala

8.Dikiri Pol

Nana

Subtypes of Nana coconut

1.Green Kundira

2.Yellow Kundira

3.Red Kundira

4.Brown Kundira

Arantiaca

Subtypes of Arantiaca coconut

1.King-Coconut

3.Navasi Thembili

3.Rath Ran Thembili/ Rath Gon Thembili

4.Bothal Thembili

References:
D.V., L., M.R.T. , W., & C., J. (1988). COCONUT VARIETIES IN SRI LANKA. Coconut Breeding in Sri Lanka, 1-20.
G.K. , E., S.A.C.N., P., P.N., D., & J.M.D.T, E. (2010). Grouping the new phenotypes under coconut varieties. Varietal Classification of New Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Forms Identified, 43-49.

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