News story: New coconut form, Bothal thembili, was discovered from Unawatuna area

Based on recent studies new coconut forms were found scattered as single palms or a few palms within home gardens along the Southern Coast mainly in Unawatuna area. Local people use different vernacular names, Thatin, Dothalu, Murusi, Ran pol, Bothal thembili, Juwan pol etc. to identify these forms.

According to a paper to be presented at International Forestry and Environment Symposium at the end of this month (November) by Mr. G K Ekanayake, Dr. S A C N Perera, Dr. P N Dasanayake and Mr. J M D T Everard this discovery will expand the genetic base of locally available coconut forms which will provide much needed new material for coconut breeding.