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The Arecaceae is a family of perennial flowering plants in the monocot
order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...
Arecales. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are called palm trees. Currently, 181
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and
subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...
climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from
rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...
s to
desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...
s. Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods are derived from palms. In contemporary times, palms are also widely used in landscaping. In many historical cultures, because of their importance as food, palms were
symbols A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different conc ...
for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility.


Etymology

The word ''Arecaceae'' is derived from the word '' areca'' with the suffix "-aceae". ''Areca'' is derived from Portuguese, via Malayalam അടയ്ക്ക (''aṭaykka''), which is from Dravidian ''*aṭ-ay-kkāy'' (“areca nut”). The suffix ''-aceae'' is the feminine plural of the Latin ''-āceus'' ("resembling").


Morphology

Whether as shrubs, tree-like, or vines, palms have two methods of growth: solitary or clustered. The common representation is that of a solitary shoot ending in a crown of leaves. This monopodial character may be exhibited by prostrate, trunkless, and trunk-forming members. Some common palms restricted to solitary growth include '' Washingtonia'' and ''
Roystonea ''Roystonea'' is a genus of eleven species of monoecious palms, native to the Caribbean Islands, and the adjacent coasts of the United States (Florida), Central America and northern South America. Commonly known as the royal palms, the genus wa ...
''. Palms may instead grow in sparse though dense clusters. The trunk develops an axillary bud at a leaf node, usually near the base, from which a new shoot emerges. The new shoot, in turn, produces an axillary bud and a clustering habit results. Exclusively sympodial genera include many of the rattans, ''
Guihaia ''Guihaia'' is a genus of three species of dioecious Arecaceae, palms found in China and Vietnam.J.Dransf., S.K.Lee & F.N.Wei. 1985. Principes 29: 7-12 Perhaps its most distinctive characteristic is that it is the only palm with Palmately compoun ...
'', and '' Rhapis''. Several palm genera have both solitary and clustering members. Palms which are usually solitary may grow in clusters and vice versa. These aberrations suggest the habit operates on a single gene. Palms have large, evergreen leaves that are either palmately ('fan-leaved') or pinnately ('feather-leaved') compound and spirally arranged at the top of the stem. The leaves have a tubular sheath at the base that usually splits open on one side at maturity. The inflorescence is a spadix or spike surrounded by one or more
bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
s or
spathe In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
s that become woody at maturity. The flowers are generally small and white, radially symmetric, and can be either uni- or bisexual. The sepals and petals usually number three each, and may be distinct or joined at the base. The stamens generally number six, with filaments that may be separate, attached to each other, or attached to the pistil at the base. The fruit is usually a single- seeded
drupe In botany, a drupe (or stone fruit) is an indehiscent fruit in which an outer fleshy part (exocarp, or skin, and mesocarp, or flesh) surrounds a single shell (the ''pit'', ''stone'', or '' pyrena'') of hardened endocarp with a seed (''kernel'') ...
(sometimes berry-like) but some genera (e.g., '' Salacca'') may contain two or more seeds in each fruit. Like all monocots, palms do not have the ability to increase the width of a stem ( secondary growth) via the same kind of vascular cambium found in non-monocot woody plants. This explains the cylindrical shape of the trunk (almost constant diameter) that is often seen in palms, unlike in
ring Ring may refer to: * Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry * To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell :(hence) to initiate a telephone connection Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...
-forming trees. However, many palms, like some other monocots, do have secondary growth, although because it does not arise from a single vascular cambium producing xylem inwards and phloem outwards, it is often called "anomalous secondary growth". The Arecaceae are notable among monocots for their height and for the size of their seeds, leaves, and inflorescences. '' Ceroxylon quindiuense'', Colombia's national tree, is the tallest monocot in the world, reaching up to tall. The '' coco de mer'' (''Lodoicea maldivica'') has the largest seeds of any plant, in diameter and weighing each ( coconuts are the second largest). Raffia palms ('' Raphia'' spp.) have the largest leaves of any plant, up to long and wide. The ''
Corypha ''Corypha'' (gebang palm, buri palm or talipot palm) is a genus of palms (family Arecaceae), native to India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and northeastern Australia (Cape York Peninsula, Queensland). They are fan palms (sub ...
'' species have the largest inflorescence of any plant, up to tall and containing millions of small flowers. ''
Calamus Calamus may refer to: Botany and zoology * ''Calamus'' (fish), a genus of fish in the family Sparidae * ''Calamus'' (palm), a genus of rattan palms * Calamus, the hollow shaft of a feather, also known as the quill * '' Acorus calamus'', the swe ...
'' stems can reach in length.


Range and habitat

Most palms are native to tropical and subtropical climates. Palms thrive in moist and hot climates but can be found in a variety of different habitats. Their diversity is highest in wet, lowland forests. South America, the
Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...
, and areas of the south Pacific and southern Asia are regions of concentration. Colombia may have the highest number of palm species in one country. There are some palms that are also native to desert areas such as the Arabian peninsula and parts of northwestern Mexico. Only about 130 palm species naturally grow entirely beyond the tropics, mostly in humid lowland subtropical climates, in highlands in southern Asia, and along the rim lands of the Mediterranean Sea. The northernmost native palm is ''
Chamaerops humilis ''Chamaerops'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Arecaceae. The only currently fully accepted species is ''Chamaerops humilis'', variously called European fan palm or the Mediterranean dwarf palm. It is one of the most hardy palms, ...
'', which reaches 44°N latitude along the coast of Liguria, Italy. In the southern hemisphere, the southernmost palm is the ''
Rhopalostylis sapida ''Rhopalostylis sapida'', commonly known as nīkau ( mi, nīkau), is a palm tree endemic to New Zealand, and the only palm native to mainland New Zealand. Etymology is a Māori word; in the closely related Eastern Polynesian languages of the ...
'', which reaches 44°S on the Chatham Islands where an
oceanic climate An oceanic climate, also known as a marine climate, is the humid temperate climate sub-type in Köppen classification ''Cfb'', typical of west coasts in higher middle latitudes of continents, generally featuring cool summers and mild winters ( ...
prevails. Cultivation of palms is possible north of subtropical climates, and some higher latitude locales such as Ireland, Scotland, England, and the Pacific Northwest feature a few palms in protected locations and microclimates. In the United States, there are at least 12 native palm species, mostly occurring in the deep southeastern states and Florida. Palms inhabit a variety of ecosystems. More than two-thirds of palm species live in humid moist forests, where some species grow tall enough to form part of the canopy and shorter ones form part of the understory. Some species form pure stands in areas with poor drainage or regular flooding, including '' Raphia hookeri'' which is common in coastal freshwater swamps in West Africa. Other palms live in tropical mountain habitats above , such as those in the genus '' Ceroxylon'' native to the Andes. Palms may also live in grasslands and scrublands, usually associated with a water source, and in desert
oases In ecology, an oasis (; ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment'ksar''with its surrounding feeding source, the palm grove, within a relational and circulatory nomadic system.” The location of oases has been of critical imp ...
such as the
date palm ''Phoenix dactylifera'', commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. The species is widely cultivated across northern Africa, the Middle Eas ...
. A few palms are adapted to extremely
basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College ...
lime soils, while others are similarly adapted to extreme potassium deficiency and toxicity of heavy metals in
serpentine soil Serpentine soil is an uncommon soil type produced by weathered ultramafic rock such as peridotite and its metamorphic derivatives such as serpentinite. More precisely, serpentine soil contains minerals of the serpentine subgroup, especially anti ...
s. Palms are a
monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic gro ...
group of plants, meaning the group consists of a common ancestor and all its descendants. Extensive taxonomic research on palms began with botanist H.E. Moore, who organized palms into 15 major groups based mostly on general morphological characteristics. The following classification, proposed by N.W. Uhl and J. Dransfield in 1987, is a revision of Moore's classification that organizes palms into six subfamilies. A few general traits of each subfamily are listed below. * The are the most diverse subfamily, and are a
paraphyletic In taxonomy (general), taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's most recent common ancestor, last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few Monophyly, monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be pa ...
group, meaning all members of the group share a common ancestor, but the group does not include all the ancestor's descendants. Most palms in this subfamily have palmately lobed leaves and solitary flowers with three, or sometimes four carpels. The fruit normally develops from only one carpel. * Subfamily includes the climbing palms, such as rattans. The leaves are usually pinnate; derived characters (
synapomorphies In phylogenetics, an apomorphy (or derived trait) is a novel character or character state that has evolved from its ancestral form (or plesiomorphy). A synapomorphy is an apomorphy shared by two or more taxa and is therefore hypothesized to have ...
) include spines on various organs, organs specialized for climbing, an extension of the main stem of the leaf-bearing reflexed spines, and overlapping scales covering the fruit and ovary. * Subfamily contains only one species, '' Nypa fruticans'', which has large, pinnate leaves. The fruit is unusual in that it floats, and the stem is dichotomously branched, also unusual in palms. * Subfamily has small to medium-sized flowers, spirally arranged, with a gynoecium of three joined carpels. * The are the largest subfamily, with six diverse tribes (
Areceae Areceae is a palm tree tribe in the family Arecaceae. Subtribes: *Archontophoenicinae * Arecinae *Basseliniinae *Carpoxylinae *Clinospermatinae *Dypsidinae * Linospadicinae *Oncospermatinae *Ptychospermatinae *Rhopalostylidinae *Verschaffeltiina ...
,
Caryoteae Caryoteae is a tribe in the palm family Arecaceae, distributed across Southeast Asia, from southern India and Sri Lanka east to Vanuatu and northernmost Queensland, Australia. It was long considered a member of subfamily Arecoideae on the basis o ...
, Cocoseae, Geonomateae,
Iriarteeae Iriarteeae is a palm tribe in the subfamily Arecoideae. Genera Iriarteeae includes the following genera: *''Dictyocaryum'' *'' Iriartea'' *''Iriartella'' *'' Socratea'' *'' Wettinia'' See also * List of Arecaceae genera This is a list of a ...
, and Podococceae) containing over 100 genera. All tribes have pinnate or bipinnate leaves and flowers arranged in groups of three, with a central pistillate and two staminate flowers. * The are a
monoecious Monoecy (; adj. monoecious ) is a sexual system in seed plants where separate male and female cones or flowers are present on the same plant. It is a monomorphic sexual system alongside gynomonoecy, andromonoecy and trimonoecy. Monoecy is conne ...
subfamily. Members of this group have distinct monopodial flower clusters. Other distinct features include a gynoecium with five to 10 joined carpels, and flowers with more than three parts per whorl. Fruits are multiple-seeded and have multiple parts. Currently, few extensive phylogenetic studies of the Arecaceae exist. In 1997, Baker'' et al.'' explored subfamily and tribe relationships using chloroplast DNA from 60 genera from all subfamilies and tribes. The results strongly showed the Calamoideae are monophyletic, and Ceroxyloideae and Coryphoideae are paraphyletic. The relationships of Arecoideae are uncertain, but they are possibly related to the Ceroxyloideae and Phytelephantoideae. Studies have suggested the lack of a fully resolved hypothesis for the relationships within the family is due to a variety of factors, including difficulties in selecting appropriate outgroups, homoplasy in morphological character states, slow rates of molecular evolution important for the use of standard DNA markers, and character polarization. However, hybridization has been observed among ''Orbignya'' and ''Phoenix'' species, and using chloroplast DNA in cladistic studies may produce inaccurate results due to maternal inheritance of the chloroplast DNA. Chemical and molecular data from non-organelle DNA, for example, could be more effective for studying palm phylogeny.


Selected genera

*''
Archontophoenix ''Archontophoenix'' is a plant genus comprising six palm species that are native to New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia. They are tall, slender and unbranched. Relationships between ''Archontophoenix'' and the other genera of subt ...
''—
Bangalow palm ''Archontophoenix cunninghamiana'' (Bangalow palm, king palm, Illawara palm, ''piccabben'', ''piccabeen'') is an Australian palm. It can grow over 20 m tall. Its flower colour is violet and the red fruits are attractive to birds. It flowers i ...
*'' Areca''—
Betel palm ''Areca catechu'' is a species of palm which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. The palm is believed to have originated in the Philippines, but is widespread in cultivation and is considered naturalized in sou ...
*''
Astrocaryum ''Astrocaryum'' is a genus of about 36 to 40 species of palms native to Central and South America and Trinidad. Description ''Astrocaryum'' is a genus of spiny palms with pinnately compound leaves–rows of leaflets emerge on either side of th ...
'' *'' Attalea'' *'' Bactris''—
Pupunha ''Bactris gasipaes'' is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is well spread in these regions, where it is often cultivated by smallholders in agroforestry systems or more rarely, in monoculture. Com ...
*''
Beccariophoenix ''Beccariophoenix'' is a genus of three species of Arecaceae (palms), native to Madagascar. The genus is closely related to the '' Cocos'', or coconut genus, and notably '' Beccariophoenix alfredii'' is similar in appearance to the coconut palm. ...
''—
Beccariophoenix alfredii ''Beccariophoenix alfredii'', also known as the high plateau coconut palm, is a recently discovered species of Arecaceae (palms), endemic to Madagascar. It is in the genus '' Beccariophoenix'', and is closely related to the genus '' Cocos''. ''B ...
*''
Bismarckia ''Bismarckia'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plant in the palm family endemic to western and northern Madagascar where they grow in open grassland. The genus is named for the first chancellor of the German Empire Otto von Bismarck and the ep ...
''—Bismarck palm *''
Borassus ''Borassus'' (palmyra palm) is a genus of five species of fan palms, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Papua New Guinea. Description These massive palms can grow up to high and have robust trunks with distinct leaf scars; in so ...
''—Palmyra palm,
sugar palm Sugar palm is a common name for several species of palms used to produce sugar. :Species used include: *''Arenga pinnata'' (syn. ''A. saccharifera'') *''Borassus flabellifer'' *''Caryota'' :*'' Caryota urens'' *''Cocos nucifera'' See also *Toddy ...
, toddy palm *''
Butia ''Butia'' is a genus of palms in the family Arecaceae, native to the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Many species produce edible fruits, which are sometimes used to make alcoholic beverages and other foods. ...
'' *''
Calamus Calamus may refer to: Botany and zoology * ''Calamus'' (fish), a genus of fish in the family Sparidae * ''Calamus'' (palm), a genus of rattan palms * Calamus, the hollow shaft of a feather, also known as the quill * '' Acorus calamus'', the swe ...
''— Rattan palm *'' Ceroxylon'' *'' Cocos''—Coconut *'' Coccothrinax'' *''
Copernicia ''Copernicia'' is a genus of palms native to South America and the Greater Antilles. Of the known species and nothospecies ( hybrids), 22 of the 27 are endemic to Cuba. They are fan palms (Arecaceae tribe Corypheae), with the leaves with a bare ...
''— Carnauba wax palm *''
Corypha ''Corypha'' (gebang palm, buri palm or talipot palm) is a genus of palms (family Arecaceae), native to India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and northeastern Australia (Cape York Peninsula, Queensland). They are fan palms (sub ...
''—Gebang palm, Buri palm or Talipot palm *''
Elaeis ''Elaeis'' () is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African oil palm ''Elaeis guineensis'' (the species name ''guineensis'' referring to its cou ...
''—Oil palm *''
Euterpe Euterpe (; el, Εὐτέρπη, lit=rejoicing well' or 'delight , from grc, εὖ, eû, well + el, τέρπειν, térpein, to please) was one of the Muses in Greek mythology, presiding over music. In late Classical times, she was named muse ...
''—Cabbage heart palm, açaí palm *'' Hyphaene''—
Doum palm ''Hyphaene thebaica'', with common names doum palm (Ar: دوم) and gingerbread tree (also mistakenly doom palm), is a type of palm tree with edible oval fruit. It is a native to the Arabian Peninsula and also to the northern half and western pa ...
*'' Jubaea''—Chilean wine palm, Coquito palm *'' Latania''—Latan palm *'' Licuala'' *'' Livistona''—Cabbage palm *''
Mauritia ''Mauritia'' is a genus of fan palms which is native to northern South America and to the Island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. Only two species are currently accepted. References

Mauritia, Trees of South America Trees of Trinidad ...
''—
Moriche palm ''Mauritia flexuosa'', known as the moriche palm, ''ité'' palm, ''ita'', ''buriti'', ''muriti'', ''miriti'' (Brazil), ''canangucho'' (Colombia), ''acho'' (Ecuador), or ''aguaje'' (Peru), is a palm tree. It grows in and near swamps and other wet ...
*''
Metroxylon ''Metroxylon'' is a genus of monoecious flowering plants in the Arecaceae (palm) family, and commonly called the ''sago palms'' consisting of seven species. They are native to Western Samoa, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Moluccas, the C ...
''— Sago palm *'' Nypa''— Nipa palm *'' Parajubaea''—Bolivian coconut palms *'' Phoenix''—
Date palm ''Phoenix dactylifera'', commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. The species is widely cultivated across northern Africa, the Middle Eas ...
*''
Pritchardia The genus ''Pritchardia'' (family Arecaceae) consists of between 24 and 40 species of fan palms (subfamily Coryphoideae) found on tropical Pacific Ocean islands in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuamotus, and most diversely in Hawaii. The generic name ho ...
'' *'' Raphia''—Raffia palm *''
Rhapidophyllum ''Rhapidophyllum hystrix'', the needle palm, is a palm, the sole member of the genus ''Rhapidophyllum''. It is native to coastal margins of the subtropical eastern Gulf and south Atlantic states of the United States. Endemic populations can be f ...
'' *'' Rhapis'' *''
Roystonea ''Roystonea'' is a genus of eleven species of monoecious palms, native to the Caribbean Islands, and the adjacent coasts of the United States (Florida), Central America and northern South America. Commonly known as the royal palms, the genus wa ...
''—Royal palm *'' Sabal''—Palmettos *'' Salacca''—
Salak Salak (''Salacca zalacca'') is a species of palm tree (family Arecaceae) native to Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. It is cultivated in other regions of Indonesia as a food crop, and reportedly naturalized in Bali, Lombok, Timor, Maluku, and Sul ...
*'' Syagrus''—
Queen palm ''Syagrus romanzoffiana'', the queen palm or cocos palm, is a palm native to South America, introduced throughout the world as a popular ornamental garden tree. ''S. romanzoffiana'' is a medium-sized palm, quickly reaching maturity at a height o ...
*'' Thrinax'' *'' Trachycarpus''—
Windmill palm ''Trachycarpus fortunei'', the Chinese windmill palm, windmill palm or Chusan palm, is a species of hardy evergreen palm tree in the family Arecaceae, native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar and India. Description Growing to tall, ''Trachyca ...
, Kumaon palm *''
Trithrinax ''Trithrinax'' is a genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Coryphoideae of the family Arecaceae. The name is derived from ancient Greek, where ''tri'' means three, and ''thrinax'' trident. It was named in 1837 by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Ma ...
'' *''
Veitchia ''Veitchia'' is a genus of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It contains the following species, all native to islands in the Pacific Ocean (Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and the Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is an island country consi ...
''— Manila palm, Joannis palm *'' Washingtonia''—Fan palm


Evolution

The Arecaceae are the first modern family of monocots appearing in the fossil record around 80 million years ago (Mya), during the late Cretaceous period. The first modern species, such as '' Nypa fruticans'' and '' Acrocomia aculeata'', appeared 69 Mya, as evidenced by fossil ''Nypa'' pollen. Palms appear to have undergone an early period of
adaptive radiation In evolutionary biology, adaptive radiation is a process in which organisms diversify rapidly from an ancestral species into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available, alters biotic int ...
. By 60 Mya, many of the modern, specialized genera of palms appeared and became widespread and common, much more widespread than their range today. Because palms separated from the monocots earlier than other families, they developed more intrafamilial specialization and diversity. By tracing back these diverse characteristics of palms to the basic structures of monocots, palms may be valuable in studying monocot evolution. Several species of palms have been identified from flowers preserved in amber, including ''
Palaeoraphe dominicana ''Palaeoraphe'' is an extinct genus of palms, represented by one species, ''Palaeoraphe dominicana'' from early Miocene Burdigalian stage Dominican amber deposits on the island of Hispaniola, in the modern-day Dominican Republic. Discovery ...
'' and '' Roystonea palaea''. Evidence can also be found in samples of petrified palmwood.


Uses

Human use of palms is at least as old as human civilization itself, starting with the cultivation of the date palm by Mesopotamians and other Middle Eastern peoples 5000 years or more ago. Date wood, pits for storing dates, and other remains of the date palm have been found in Mesopotamian sites. The date palm had a tremendous effect on the history of the Middle East. W.H. Barreveld wrote: An indication of the importance of palms in ancient times is that they are mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible, and at least 22 times in the Quran. Arecaceae have great economic importance, including coconut products, oils, dates,
palm syrup Miel de palma (lit. palm honey, also palm syrup) is an edible sweet syrup produced from the sap of a number of palms. It is produced in the Canary Islands and coastal regions of South America. Species In the Canary Islands, palm syrup (''miel de ...
, ivory nuts, carnauba wax, rattan cane, raffia, and palm wood. This family supplies a large amount of the human diet and several other human uses, both by absolute amount produced and by number of species domesticated. This is far higher than almost any other plant family, sixth out of domesticated crops in the human diet, and first in total economic value produced sharing the top spot with the
Poaceae Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns an ...
and
Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomenc ...
. These human uses have also spread many Arecaceae species around the world. Along with dates mentioned above, members of the palm family with human uses are numerous. *The type member of Arecaceae is the areca palm, the fruit of which, the areca nut, is chewed with the
betel The betel (''Piper betle'') is a vine of the family Piperaceae, which includes pepper and kava. The betel plant is native to Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen, dioecious perennial, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins. Betel plan ...
leaf for intoxicating effects (''Areca catechu''). * Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of a Brazilian palm (''Copernicia''). * Rattans, whose stems are used extensively in
furniture Furniture refers to movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating (e.g., stools, chairs, and sofas), eating (tables), storing items, eating and/or working with an item, and sleeping (e.g., beds and hammocks). Fu ...
and baskets, are in the genus ''Calamus''. *
Palm oil Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of the oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 33% of global oils produced from ...
is an edible vegetable oil produced by the oil palms in the genus ''
Elaeis ''Elaeis'' () is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African oil palm ''Elaeis guineensis'' (the species name ''guineensis'' referring to its cou ...
''. *Several species are harvested for heart of palm, a vegetable eaten in salads. *Sap of the nipa palm, '' Nypa fruticans'', is used to make vinegar. *Palm sap is sometimes fermented to produce palm wine or toddy, an
alcoholic beverage An alcoholic beverage (also called an alcoholic drink, adult beverage, or a drink) is a drink that contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that acts as a drug and is produced by fermentation of grains, fruits, or other sources of sugar. The c ...
common in parts of Africa, India, and the Philippines. The sap may be drunk fresh, but fermentation is rapid, reaching up to 4% alcohol content within an hour, and turning vinegary in a day. *Palmyra and date palm sap is harvested in Bengal, India, to process into ''gur'' and ''
jaggery Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It is a concentrated product of cane juice and often date or palm sap without separation of the molasses and crystals, and can ...
''. *
Dragon's blood Dragon's blood is a bright red resin which is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: ''Calamus'' spp. (previously ''Daemonorops'') also including ''Calamus rotang'', '' Croton'', '' Dracaena'' and ''Pterocarpus''. ...
, a red resin used traditionally in medicine,
varnish Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain. It usually has a yellowish shade from the manufacturing process and materials used, but it may also be pigmented as desired, and is sold commercially in various ...
, and
dye A dye is a colored substance that chemically bonds to the substrate to which it is being applied. This distinguishes dyes from pigments which do not chemically bind to the material they color. Dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution an ...
s, may be obtained from the fruit of '' Daemonorops'' species. *
Coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...
is the partially edible seed of the fruit of the coconut palm (''Cocos nucifera''). * Coir is a coarse, water-resistant fiber extracted from the outer shell of coconuts, used in doormats, brushes, mattresses, and ropes. In India, beekeepers use coir in their bee smokers. *Some indigenous groups living in palm-rich areas use palms to make many of their necessary items and food. Sago, for example, a
starch Starch or amylum is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the most common carbohydrate in human diets ...
made from the pith of the trunk of the sago palm ''
Metroxylon sagu ''Metroxylon sagu'', the true sago palm, is a species of palm in the genus ''Metroxylon'', native to tropical southeastern Asia. The tree is a major source of sago starch. Description True sago palm is a suckering (multiple-stemmed) palm, ea ...
'', is a major
staple food A staple food, food staple, or simply a staple, is a food that is eaten often and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for a given person or group of people, supplying a large fraction of energy needs and ...
for lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas. This is not the same plant commonly used as a house plant and called "sago palm". *Palm wine is made from '' Jubaea'' also called Chilean wine palm, or coquito palm *Recently, the fruit of the açaí palm ''
Euterpe Euterpe (; el, Εὐτέρπη, lit=rejoicing well' or 'delight , from grc, εὖ, eû, well + el, τέρπειν, térpein, to please) was one of the Muses in Greek mythology, presiding over music. In late Classical times, she was named muse ...
'' has been used for its reputed health benefits. *Saw palmetto ('' Serenoa repens'') is under investigation as a drug for treating enlarged prostates. *Palm leaves are also valuable to some peoples as a material for thatching, basketry, clothing, and in religious ceremonies (see "Symbolism" below). *Ornamental uses: Today, palms are valuable as ornamental plants and are often grown along streets in tropical and
subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...
cities. '' Chamaedorea elegans'' is a popular houseplant and is grown indoors for its low maintenance. Farther north, palms are a common feature in botanical gardens or as indoor plants. Few palms tolerate severe cold and the majority of the species are tropical or subtropical. The three most cold-tolerant species are ''
Trachycarpus fortunei ''Trachycarpus fortunei'', the Chinese windmill palm, windmill palm or Chusan palm, is a species of hardy evergreen palm tree in the family Arecaceae, native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar and India. Description Growing to tall, ''Trachyca ...
'', native to eastern Asia, and ''
Rhapidophyllum hystrix ''Rhapidophyllum hystrix'', the needle palm, is a palm, the sole member of the genus ''Rhapidophyllum''. It is native to coastal margins of the subtropical eastern Gulf and south Atlantic states of the United States. Endemic populations can be f ...
'' and '' Sabal minor'', both native to the southeastern United States. *The southeastern U.S. state of South Carolina is nicknamed the Palmetto State after the sabal palmetto (cabbage palmetto), logs from which were used to build the fort at Fort Moultrie. During the American Revolutionary War, they were invaluable to those defending the fort, because their spongy wood absorbed or deflected the British cannonballs. *Singaporean politician Tan Cheng Bock uses a palm tree-like symbol similar to a ''
Ravenala ''Ravenala'' is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants. Classically, the genus was considered to include a single species, ''Ravenala madagascariensis'', commonly known as the traveller's tree, traveller's palm or East-West palm, from Mada ...
'' to represent him in the
2011 Singaporean presidential election The 2011 Singaporean presidential election was held to elect the next President of Singapore. Four eligible candidates were issued certificates of eligibility by the Presidential Elections Committee, and were nominated on Nomination Day with To ...
. The symbol of a party he founded, Progress Singapore Party, was also based on a palm tree. *On
Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent (the six weeks of penitence before Easter). It is observed by Catholics in the Rom ...
, Catholics receive a cross on their forehead made of palm ashes as a reminder of the Catholic belief that everyone and everything eventually returns to where it came from, commonly expressed by the saying "ashes to ashes and dust to dust". Image:Dates on date palm.jpg, Fruit of the date palm '' Phoenix dactylifera'' Image:Santa Monica Palm Trees.jpg, ''
Washingtonia robusta ''Washingtonia robusta'', known by common name as the Mexican fan palm, Mexican washingtonia, or skyduster is a palm tree native to the Baja California peninsula and a small part of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. Despite its limited native dist ...
'' palms line Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California. Image:Rodeo Palms -- Manvel, Texas.jpg, Rodeo Palms, a subdivision in Manvel, Texas File:Palm tree CANA.JPG, Sabal palm in the Canaveral National Seashore File:Coconut Palm flowers.jpg, Coconut flowers File:Palm tree top, Georgia, US.jpg, Close-up of the top, Atlantic Ocean, Georgia, U.S.


Endangered species

Like many other plants, palms have been threatened by human intervention and
exploitation Exploitation may refer to: *Exploitation of natural resources *Exploitation of labour **Forced labour *Exploitation colonialism *Slavery **Sexual slavery and other forms *Oppression *Psychological manipulation In arts and entertainment *Exploita ...
. The greatest risk to palms is
destruction of habitat Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby ...
, especially in the tropical forests, due to urbanization, wood-chipping, mining, and
conversion to farmland Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: * Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose such as agriculture or House, housing * subdivision (land), Subdividing real estate into Lot (re ...
. Palms rarely reproduce after such great changes in the habitat, and those with small habitat ranges are most vulnerable to them. The harvesting of heart of palm, a delicacy in salads, also poses a threat because it is derived from the palm's apical meristem, a vital part of the palm that cannot be regrown (except in domesticated varieties, e.g. of
peach palm ''Bactris gasipaes'' is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is well spread in these regions, where it is often cultivated by smallholders in agroforestry systems or more rarely, in monoculture. Commo ...
). The use of
rattan palm Rattan, also spelled ratan, is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae. The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the closed-canopy old-growth tropical forests of ...
s in furniture has caused a major population decrease in these species that has negatively affected local and international markets, as well as biodiversity in the area. The sale of seeds to nurseries and collectors is another threat, as the seeds of popular palms are sometimes harvested directly from the wild. In 2006, at least 100 palm species were considered endangered, and nine species have been reported as recently extinct. However, several factors make palm conservation more difficult. Palms live in almost every type of warm habitat and have tremendous morphological diversity. Most palm seeds lose viability quickly, and they cannot be preserved in low temperatures because the cold kills the embryo. Using botanical gardens for conservation also presents problems, since they can rarely house more than a few plants of any species or truly imitate the natural setting. There is also the risk that cross-pollination can lead to hybrid species. The Palm Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) began in 1984, and has performed a series of three studies to find basic information on the status of palms in the wild, use of wild palms, and palms under cultivation. Two projects on palm conservation and use supported by the World Wildlife Fund took place from 1985 to 1990 and 1986–1991, in the American tropics and southeast Asia, respectively. Both studies produced copious new data and publications on palms. Preparation of a global action plan for palm conservation began in 1991, supported by the IUCN, and was published in 1996. The rarest palm known is ''
Hyophorbe amaricaulis ''Hyophorbe amaricaulis'' (also known as the "loneliest palm") is a species of palm tree of the order Arecales, family Arecaceae, subfamily Arecoideae, tribe Chamaedoreeae. It is found exclusively on the island of Mauritius, and only a single su ...
''. The only living individual remains at the Botanic Gardens of Curepipe in Mauritius.


Arthropod pests

Some pests are specialists to particular taxa. Pests that attack a ''variety'' of species of palms include: * ''
Raoiella indica ''Raoiella indica'', commonly known as the red palm mite, is a species of mite belonging to the family Tenuipalpidae. A pest of several species of palm in the Middle East and South East Asia, it is now becoming established throughout the Caribbe ...
'', the red palm mite * '' Caryobruchus gleditsiae'', the palm seed beetle or palm seed weevil * '' Rhynchophorus ferrugineus'', the red palm weevil, recently introduced to Europe


Symbolism

The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in classical antiquity. The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul, as in the Palm Sunday festival celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In Judaism, the palm represents peace and plenty, and is one of the Four Species of
Sukkot or ("Booths, Tabernacles") , observedby = Jews, Samaritans, a few Protestant denominations, Messianic Jews, Semitic Neopagans , type = Jewish, Samaritan , begins = 15th day of Tishrei , ends = 21st day of Tishre ...
; the palm may also symbolize the Tree of Life in Kabbalah. The canopies of the Rathayatra carts which carry the deities of Krishna and his family members in the cart festival of Jagganath Puri in India are marked with the emblem of a palm tree. Specifically it is the symbol of Krishna's brother, Baladeva. In 1840, the American geologist
Edward Hitchcock Edward Hitchcock (May 24, 1793 – February 27, 1864) was an American geologist and the third President of Amherst College (1845–1854). Life Born to poor parents, he attended newly founded Deerfield Academy, where he was later principal, ...
(1793–1864) published the first tree-like paleontology chart in his ''Elementary Geology'', with two separate trees of life for the plants and the animals. These are crowned (graphically) with the Palms and with Man. Today, the palm, especially the coconut palm, remains a symbol of the tropical island paradise. Palms appear on the flags and seals of several places where they are native, including those of
Haiti Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...
, Guam, Saudi Arabia, Florida, and South Carolina.


Other plants

Some species commonly called palms, though they are not true palms, include: *'' Ailanthus altissima'' (Ghetto palm), a tree in the flowering plant family Simaroubaceae *''
Alocasia odora ''Alocasia odora'' (also called night-scented lily, Asian taro or giant upright elephant ear) is a flowering plant native to East and Southeast Asia (Japan, China, Indochina, Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Taiwan). In Manipur, local name is Hoomu. '' ...
x gageana'' 'Calidora' (Persian palm), a flowering plant in the family Araceae *'' Aloe thraskii'' (Palm aloe), a flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae *'' Amorphophallus konjac'' (Snake palm), a flowering plant in the family Araceae *''
Beaucarnea recurvata ''Beaucarnea recurvata'', the elephant's foot or ponytail palm, is a species of plant in the family Asparagaceae. The species was native to numerous states of eastern Mexico but is now confined to the state of Veracruz. Despite its common name, i ...
'' (Ponytail palm), a flowering plant in the family
Asparagaceae Asparagaceae, known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots. The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, ''Asparagus officinalis''. Those who live in the temperate c ...
*''
Begonia luxurians ''Begonia luxurians'', the palm leaf begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus ''Begonia'', native to southeastern Brazil. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1533 ...
'' (Palm leaf begonia), a flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae *''
Biophytum umbraculum ''Biophytum umbraculum'' (the South Pacific palm) is a plant species in the family Oxalidaceae. It is reported from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar), New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, tropical Africa, and Madagascar. T ...
'' (South Pacific palm), a flowering plant in the family
Oxalidaceae The Oxalidaceae, or wood sorrel family, are a small family of five genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs and small trees, with the great majority of the 570 species in the genus ''Oxalis'' (wood sorrels). Members of this family typically have divid ...
*'' Blechnum appendiculatum'' (Palm fern), a fern in the family
Aspleniaceae The Aspleniaceae (spleenworts) are a family of ferns, included in the order Polypodiales. The composition and classification of the family have been subject to considerable changes. In particular, there is a narrow circumscription, Aspleniaceae ...
*'' Brighamia insignis'' (Vulcan palm), a flowering plant in the family Campanulaceae *'' Carludovica palmata'' (Panama hat palm) and perhaps other members in the family Cyclanthaceae. *''
Cordyline australis ''Cordyline australis'', commonly known as the cabbage tree, tī kōuka or cabbage-palm, is a widely branched monocot tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to tall with a stout trunk and sword-like leaves, which are clustered at the tips of ...
'' (Cabbage palm, Torbay palm, ti palm) or palm lily (family Asparagaceae) and other representatives in the genus '' Cordyline''. *'' Cyathea cunninghamii'' (Palm fern) and other
tree ferns The tree ferns are arborescent (tree-like) ferns that grow with a trunk elevating the fronds above ground level, making them trees. Many extant tree ferns are members of the order Cyatheales, to which belong the families Cyatheaceae (scaly tree ...
(families Cyatheaceae and Dicksoniaceae) that may be confused with palms. *'' Cycas revoluta'' (Sago palm) and the rest of the order Cycadales. *''
Cyperus alternifolius ''Cyperus alternifolius'', the umbrella papyrus, umbrella sedge or umbrella palm, is a grass-like plant in the very large genus ''Cyperus'' of the sedge family Cyperaceae. The plant is native to West Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula, ...
'' (Umbrella palm), a sedge in the family
Cyperaceae The Cyperaceae are a family of graminoid (grass-like), monocotyledonous flowering plants known as sedges. The family is large, with some 5,500 known species described in about 90 genera, the largest being the "true sedges" genus ''Carex'' w ...
*''
Dasylirion longissimum ''Dasylirion longissimum'', the Mexican Grass Tree, is a species of flowering plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert and other xeric habitats in Northeastern Mexico. Description Evergreen trunk-forming shrub, slow and moderate growing to tall an ...
'' (Grass palm), a flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae and other plants in the genus '' Dasylirion'' *'' Dioon spinulosum'' (Gum palm), a cycad in the family Zamiaceae *''
Dracaena marginata ''Dracaena reflexa'' (commonly called song of India or song of Jamaica) is a tree native to Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, and other nearby islands of the Indian Ocean. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant and houseplant, valued for its ...
'' (Dragon palm) a flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae *'' Eisenia arborea'' (Southern sea palm), a species of brown alga in the family
Lessoniaceae Lessoniaceae are a family of kelp. Species of this family have transition zone with intercalary meristem subdivided so that there are a number of secondary stipes in addition to the primary stipe. Genera and species *''Ecklonia'' **''Ecklonia a ...
*'' Fatsia japonica'' (Figleaf palm), a flowering plant in the family Araliaceae *''
Hypnodendron comosum ''Hypnodendron comosum'', commonly known as palm moss or palm tree moss, is a ground moss which can be divided into two varieties: ''Hypnodendron comosum'' var. ''comosum'' and ''Hypnodendron comosum'' var. ''sieberi''. Both ''Hypnodendron'' vari ...
'' (Palm tree moss or palm moss), a
moss Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants in the taxonomic division Bryophyta (, ) '' sensu stricto''. Bryophyta (''sensu lato'', Schimp. 1879) may also refer to the parent group bryophytes, which comprise liverworts, mosses, and hor ...
in the family
Hypnodendraceae Hypnodendraceae is a family of mosses belonging to the order Hypnodendrales. Genera: * '' Braithwaitea'' * '' Dendrohypnum'' Hampe, 1872 * ''Hypnodendron ''Hypnodendron'' is a genus of mosses belonging to the family Hypnodendraceae. Species: ...
*'' Musa'' species (Banana palm), a flowering plant in the family
Musaceae Musaceae is a family of flowering plants composed of three genera with about 91 known species, placed in the order Zingiberales. The family is native to the tropics of Africa and Asia. The plants have a large herbaceous growth habit with leaves ...
*'' Pachypodium lamerei'' (Madagascar palm), a flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae *''
Pandanus spiralis ''Pandanus spiralis'' is native to northern Australia. It is commonly called common screwpine, iidool, pandanus palm, screw pine, screw palm or spring pandanus. It is neither a true palm, nor a pine. Distribution ''Pandanus spiralis'' occur ...
'' (Screw palm), a flowering plant in the family
Pandanaceae Pandanaceae is a family of flowering plants native to the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, from West Africa through the Pacific. It contains 982 known species in five genera, of which the type genus, ''Pandanus'', is the most important, wi ...
FAO 1995. ''Tropical Palms.''. Introduction. ''NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS'' 10. FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. and perhaps other ''
Pandanus ''Pandanus'' is a genus of monocots with some 750 accepted species. They are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs native to the Old World tropics and subtropics. The greatest number of species are found in Madagascar and Malaysia. Common names ...
'' spp. *''
Ravenala ''Ravenala'' is a genus of monocotyledonous flowering plants. Classically, the genus was considered to include a single species, ''Ravenala madagascariensis'', commonly known as the traveller's tree, traveller's palm or East-West palm, from Mada ...
'' (Traveller's palm), a flowering plant in the family
Strelitziaceae The Strelitziaceae comprise a family (biology), family of monocotyledonous flowering plants, very similar in appearance and growth habit to members of the related families Heliconiaceae and Musaceae (banana family). The three genera with seven sp ...
*'' Setaria palmifolia'' (Palm grass), a grass in the family
Poaceae Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns an ...
*'' Yucca brevifolia'' (Yucca palm or palm tree yucca) *''
Yucca filamentosa ''Yucca filamentosa'', Adam’s needle and thread, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae native to the southeastern United States. Growing to tall, it is an evergreen shrub valued in horticulture. Description Usually trunk ...
'' (Needle palm) and ''
Yucca filifera ''Yucca filifera'' is a member of the subfamily Agavaceae, family Asparagaceae, native to central Mexico. History It was discovered in 1840 in northeastern Mexico between Saltillo and Parras () on 19 May 1847 by merchant and explorer Josia ...
'' (St. Peter's palm), flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae *'' Zamia furfuracea'' (Cardboard palm), a cycad in the family Zamiaceae *''
Zamioculcas zamiifolia ''Zamioculcas'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, containing the single species ''Zamioculcas zamiifolia''. It is a tropical perennial plant, native to eastern Africa, from southern Kenya to northeastern South Africa. Common ...
'' (Emerald palm or aroid palm), a flowering plant in the family Araceae


See also

*
Coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family ( Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the ...
* Fan palm—genera with palmate leaves * List of Arecaceae genera * List of foliage plant diseases (Arecaceae) * List of hardy palms—palms able to withstand colder temperatures * '' Postelsia''—called the "sea palm" (a brown alga)


References


Citations


General sources

* (Latest Arecaceae or Palmae classification.) * * Schultz-Schultzenstein, C. H. (1832)
''Natürliches System des Pflanzenreichs...''
p
317
Berlin, Germany.


External links


Palmpedia
A wiki-based site dedicated to high quality images and information on palm trees.
Fairchild Guide to Palms
A collection of palm images, scientific data, and horticultural information hosted by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami.
Kew Botanic Garden's Palm Genera list
A list of the currently acknowledged genera by Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England (Archived 2007)
Palm species listing with images
Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia (PACSOA)
Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida, Inc. (PACSOF)
which includes pages o

and

*

in th

{{Authority control Arecales Commelinid families Extant Campanian first appearances Tropical agriculture