Best alternative to coconut palm

[Victor likes palms]

I was wondering if there were any palms that bear a fruit similar to the coconut.It doesnt have to be cold hardy just out of curiosity.

Edited October 11, 2022 by Victor valadez

[kinzyjr]

Most people here go with Beccariophoenix alfredii.

[Victor likes palms]

Is the fruit edible?

[Billy]

The thing with the Beccariophoenix genus is that (to me) they all do a pretty good coconut mimic especially alfredii and fenestralis, but the fruit that they bear is way smaller. Perhaps the size of a strawberry. You look at the big wavy fronds with the nice green color and think to yourself "that's gotta be the closest looking palm to a coconut on earth." As far as a palm that bears similar sized fruit, I've seen photos of one a while back so I know there's one out there but I can't recall the name so I can't really answer your question. Maybe some palm enthusiast will chime in with the name.....

[RedRabbit]

Lodoicea

[Billy]

10 minutes ago, Victor valadez said:

Is the fruit edible?

Not sure for humans, but for lemurs it sure is! They are the main seed dispersers of Beccariophoenix alfredii seeds in habitat.

[Billy]

1 minute ago, RedRabbit said:

Lodoicea

There we go! Thanks. Lodoicea maldivica is indeed the one I was thinking of. Almost reminds me a Pritchardia with coconuts. So rad it's not even funny.....

[Victor likes palms]

Wow that looks interesting,Sucks thats it cold for tropical palms here.Apparently it takes 7years for the fruit to ripen

[Foxpalms]

Beccariophoenix alfredii, Beccariophoenix fenestralis and jubeaopsis caffra are the coconut look a likes I have. Howea forsteriana also kind of looks like a coconut.

Edited October 11, 2022 by Foxpalms

[Jim in Los Altos]

Taste wise, Jubaea chilensis and probably Parajubaea produce coconuts (coquiotos) most similar to Cocos nucifera. Parajubaea doesn’t grow well in hot humid climates, preferring a more Mediterranean climate or cool coastal or mountain climates.  

[Foxpalms]

Forgot to mention parajubaea cocoides.

[Jim in Los Altos]

1 hour ago, Foxpalms said:

Beccariophoenix alfredii, Beccariophoenix fenestralis and jubeaopsis caffra are the coconut look a likes I have. Howea forsteriana also kind of looks like a coconut.

Victor’s question was referring more to the fruit (nuts) produced rather than the looks of the palm.

[Victor likes palms]

9 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Taste wise, Jubaea chilensis and probably Parajubaea produce coconuts (coquiotos) most similar to Cocos nucifera. Parajubaea doesn’t grow well in hot humid climates, preferring a more Mediterranean climate or cool coastal or mountain climates.  

Okay thanks ill research it maybe ill be able to get it to grow in south texas

[sonoranfans]

12 hours ago, Victor valadez said:

I was wondering if there were any palms that bear a fruit similar to the coconut.It doesnt have to be cold hardy just out of curiosity.

none have that big tasty fruit, but some butias have some smaller but also tasty fruit.

[Victor likes palms]

Okay thanks

[Xenon]

Borassus flabellifer makes large, very edible fruit. The flesh is like young coconut meat but not as oily, jelly-like. Nypa fruticans is similar. 

Acrocomia kernals are supposedly delicious and coconut-like. Will probably grow well near Corpus but it's a very spiny palm that can take a while to germinate. 

 

 

[Victor likes palms]

Okay thanks im 60miles from corpus more inland than north,still considered coastal bend