COCOS, a genus of palms. There are about 55 species, natives of South America, but culti vated for their fruits or for ornament in many warm countries. They vary considerably in height, but are all characterized by absence of spines, ridged trunks, pinnatisect leaves in a ter minal crown or rosette, spadices erect at first, but later drooping, spathes two, flowers white or yellow, fruit of various forms. Some species are cultivated under glass on account of their graceful foliage. The most important species of the genus is unquestionably C. /writ era, the coco palm or coconut tree (see Cocorzur). Of the other species the following are perhaps best known in the United States: C. fiexuosa, a medium-sized Brazilian species often planted in southern Florida and southern California as a street tree and to some extent cultivated in northern greenhouses. C. eriospatha, a stouter, somewhat taller species from southern Brazil, is by some considered the hardiest of the genus and often planted along avenues in the region mentioned and in the West Indies. It is little
cultivated under glass because of its rather coarse leaves. C. data, an Argentine species, found to be hardy in southern California as a street tree. Its fruits, which are edible, resem ble those of the date palm. C. plumosa is the most generally cultivated street tree of the genus; it is of quick growth, soon reaching a height of 30 feet, and, with age, 50 feet. It is indigenous to central Brazil. C. weddelliana, a dwarf species from central Brazil, is unquestion ably the most popular greenhouse palm, not only of the genus, but of all genera. Its foliage is small, delicate and graceful, and on this account it is frequently used as a table decoration. It is probably the most easily cultivated of the palms used in house decoration, and since it is of slow growth it retains its beauty for a con siderable time, never becoming coarse or un attractive.