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 .