Solved Have I just gone silly or is this a coconut?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Selleri, Sep 5, 2025.

  1. Selleri

    Selleri Koala

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    We found three of these by the local pond, the size is about a small fist.

    Google suggests they are coconuts but I honestly can't figure out where they could have come from. Unripe ones are not sold in shops, and somehow I think we would have noticed a fruiting Coconut palm if any were growing around here. :biggrin:

    Monty Python comes to mind but the Swallows denied everything.

    Any suggestions?

    coco.png coco2.png
     
  2. Pete8

    Pete8 Total Gardener

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    could it be an old water lily flower - just the seed pod remaining?
     
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    • Selleri

      Selleri Koala

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      That's it! There are Yellow waterlilies in the pond, and Wiki had a good photo of the seed pod:

      upload_2025-9-5_15-5-12.png

      Thanks so much @Pete8 :)
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I never get anything like that on my waterlilies.
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        • Selleri

          Selleri Koala

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          Yes that's what I meant, not a waterlily.

          Strange that I spent my childhood pulling them when in a rowing boat, they are very common in Finland. But the seedpod just didn't click in my brain. Coconut... my bum... :biggrin:
           
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          • Silver surfer

            Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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            This thread has got a tiny bit odd.
            Just to clarify Nuphar lutea IS a waterlily with yellow flowers.
            Your pics show the developing seed pod.

            Pics below show it growing wild in a Loch in Perthshire. Scotland.
            NUPHAR  LUTEA 07-06-2015 14-37-03.JPG
            NUPHAR  LUTEA  YELLOW  WATERLILY 09-07-2013 13-52-51.JPG
            NUPHAR  LUTEA  YELLOW  WATERLILY 09-07-2013 13-52-41.JPG
            NUPHAR  LUTEA  YELLOW  WATERLILY 09-07-2013 12-42-53.JPG
             
            Last edited: Sep 6, 2025
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            I suppose the term water lilly is a bit vague, like most common names for plants.
            I mean let's face it, none of them are lillys it's a name that about a dozen plants are given as a common name. :smile:
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              I knew I'd heard of this before, it was in a pond plant book I had years ago and the common name then was brandy bottle, not sure why.:biggrin:
               
            • Pete8

              Pete8 Total Gardener

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              The shape of the seed pod is similar to the old fashioned cognac bottles
              upload_2025-9-6_13-45-33.png
               
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                OK,yes sounds about right.
                 
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                • Silver surfer

                  Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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                  Interesting..New one to me..but it gets a mention on wiki...
                  Quote
                  "Nuphar lutea, the yellow water-lily, brandy-bottle, or spadderdock, is an aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, native to northern temperate and some subtropical regions of Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia."
                   
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                  • Selleri

                    Selleri Koala

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                    Happens with this lot :heehee:

                    Ulpukka Ulpukka – Wikipedia is widespread, and I'm surprised to learn, up to arctic circle.

                    Google tells me this about the brandy bottle reference:
                    From June to August, bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers on stiff stems above leathery, deep green, floating or submerged leaves similar to those of a water lily. The flowers of this vigorous, deep water aquatic plant smell strongly of alcohol - hence its intriguing common name.
                     
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