Coconut Germination Pores

There is always something new to learn, even something as elementary as a coconut (Cocos nucifera). I found out while preparing for one of the workshops that coconut fruits actually have three germination pores on the endocarp layer; which is the inner most layer of the fruit.

As RY described, it looked something like a bowling ball. However only one of the pores is functional, and a shoot will sprout out of that thin layered pore when conditions are ripe. The other two depressions are non-functional and impenetrable. Each pore actually represent a carpel when it was still a flower. So next time when you see a coconut at the beach (like the one above at Changi), you know what are those holes :)