Palm trees belong to one of the world's oldest plant families, and coconut palms have been cultivated for at least 4,000 years.

Fibers recovered from that pulp are called coir. The fibers range from sturdy strands suitable for brush bristles to filaments that can be spun into coarse, durable yarn. In the United States, the most popular uses for coir are bristly door mats, agricultural twine, and geotextiles