The time taken from reaping coconut seednuts to the appearance of the sprout through the husk distinguishes late germinating Niu kafa types from early germinating Niu vai types. Results from previously unrelated germination studies, carried out independently in Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Ivory Coast, show that the common tall varieties in those countries, and also in Benin and Mozambique, are Niu kafa types, whilst in peninsular Malaysia and on the Pacific coast of Panama the common tall varieties are Niu vai types. These findings agree with others based on different aspects of the palm and its ecology. The relationship between germination and the degree of water absorption, particularly sea water, at the time the ripe fruit falls from the palm may account for the genetic stability of the wild Niu kafa type despite island conditions which would appear to favour genetic drift.