Coconut is a majestic perennial palm grown extensively in numerous islands and also in the humid coastal tracts of tropical countries. The coconut-palm, rightly known as the Kalpa vriksha or the `tree of heaven? provides many necessities of life, including food and shelter. Of all the tropical palms providing numerous useful products, it is perhaps the outstanding one. It is mainly cultivated for the nuts from which two important commercial products, copra and fibre, are obtained. Copra yields oil and oil-cake. The trunk of the mature palm is used as timber for constructing houses and the plaited leaves are used for thatching houses, fencing, etc. The unopened spathe is tapped for toddy. Fresh toddy called ?neera? is a tonic. Whereas sweet toddy can be converted into jaggery and sugar, fermented toddy is a mild alcoholic drink, and vinegar can also be prepared from it.