Mystery Coconut

[WRaynolds]

I recently spotted this coconut on the shore of Breezy Point in Brooklyn.

While it may have fallen off a boat in New York harbor, it is unusual in that it still seems to have most of its husk intact. As I understand it, coconuts destined for the commercial marketplace generally have their husks removed prior to transport.

Could it have floated north on its own? If so, how far would it have had to float? Where is the northernmost point on the Atlantic seaboard where a coconut palm could grow outdoors near the water and still produce fruit?

[Fishmoose]

Could have come from anywhere. Gulf Stream flows north.

[John Case]

What a great opportunity for an experiment!

[Kai]

Yeah pot it up in warm place and wait...

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

I recently spotted this coconut on the shore of Breezy Point in Brooklyn.

While it may have fallen off a boat in New York harbor, it is unusual in that it still seems to have most of its husk intact. As I understand it, coconuts destined for the commercial marketplace generally have their husks removed prior to transport.

Could it have floated north on its own? If so, how far would it have had to float? Where is the northernmost point on the Atlantic seaboard where a coconut palm could grow outdoors near the water and still produce fruit?

Seems plausible because of the jet stream. As far as fruiting coconuts are concerned, I would say that the border rests somewhere between Cape Canaveral and New Smyrna Beach. And closer to Cape Canaveral than Smyrna.

[palmsOrl]

I am not at all surprised that coconuts occasionally wash ashore at these northern latitudes. I have read of coconuts being found in the British Isles and even the shores of Scandinavia. Coconuts can stay afloat for a year or more, and the one you found may very well be viable. Shake it and listen for coconut milk inside. I would also plant it and keep it warm and give it a good 6 months to a year to have an opportunity to sprout. I agree with Jason about the northern limit for reproductive coconuts or pretty much any coconut palms at all. This far north, there are very few dropping nuts in the water, so I bet it is from somewhere in the Caribbean, or even the Gulf (possibly South FL).

[DoomsDave]

Hmm, interesting!

Pot it up!

See if it grows; or did you, and did it?

The GS goes way out to sea that far north, from what I understand, but maybe it wanted to sample the delights of the Big Apple . . . . .

 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Golfstrom.jpg/300px-Golfstrom.jpg