Syagrus romanzoffiana

Cocos palm

Scientific name: Syagrus romanzoffiana

Family: Arecaceae

Cocos palm, is a palm native to South America

 introduced throughout the world as a popular ornamental garden tree. 

It  is a medium-sized palm, quickly reaching maturity at a height of up to 15 m tall, with pinnate leaves having as many as 494 pinnae (leaflets), 

although more typically around 300, each pinna being around 50 centimetres in length and 3–5 centimetres in width. 

The queen palm is planted in many tropical and subtropical areas.

 It is very popular as an ornamental tree and much used in urban landscaping.

 It is quite hardy, to -5 °C , but the dead fronds must be pruned to keep the tree visually pleasing.

 In some areas the fallen fruit are known for attracting unwelcome insects.

The palm is often cut down in Brazil to use the leaves and inflorescences to provide animal fodder, especially in times of drought.

Its fruits are edible and sometimes eaten; consisting of a hard nut surrounded with a thin layer of fibrous flesh that is orange and sticky when ripe. 

The flavour is sweet and could be described as a mixture of plum and banana.