Cocos (kokos)

[NL.: see cocoal.] A genus of pinnate-leaved palms, of which the cocoanut-tree is the type, distinguished by the large fibrous-coated fruit, inclosing a single bony nut with three pores at its base. There are about 30 species, natives of tropical and subtropical America, of which the only one cultivated is C. nucifera, now found in all tropical countries, and perhaps indigenous also in the old world. The seeds of C. butyracea of Brazil yield an oil similar to that extracted from the cocoanut, and from C. aculeata is obtained a yellowish oil with a violet-like odor, known as Macaja butter. See cut under cocoal. coco stearic (kō kō-ste-ar'ik), a. [ Same as cocinic acid .