Re-evaluation of early observations on coconut in the new world

Oviedo's sixteenth century reports from the New World, relating the characteristics, uses, cultivation and geographical distribution Cocos nucifera, are analyzed in terms of their veracity and implications for the evolution of this highly important economic species. The presence of coconut on the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. Panama, and Colombia is supported by the documentary evidence. The variability reported suggests a gene pool which includes the "wild" and "domesticated" morphotypes in populations similar to those distributed in the South Pacific region. The diffusion to America could have involved a large number of seeds. A close association between coconuts and humans, including a variety of uses and its cultivation is reported in the early sixteenth century literature. Evidence suggests both natural diffusion and diffusion by the intervention of humans. Studies of the genetic diversity in the region will identify valuable genotypes for improvement and conservation.