There are coconut groves on the Malabar west coast, palmyra palms on the Coromandel east, and in between, a more barren landscape of rugged mountains and dramatic rocky outcroppings, relieved here and there by a patch of Flame of the Forest trees, hibiscus, or deep green jungle, as well as plentiful trickling streams, lotus ponds, and lakes covered with scarlet lilies.
Malabar is a major supplier of coconut oil and coconut water.  