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Sign in to saveThe Arecaceae () are a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order 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 colloquially called palm trees. Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem, except for the Hyphaene genus, which has branched palms. However, palms exhibit
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Palms (Arecaceae) are a large family of flowering plants with around 2,600 species found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, recognizable by their distinctive large, feathery leaves called fronds that typically grow at the top of unbranched stems. They matter because they are widespread plants that play important ecological roles and have significant cultural and economic importance to human societies in warm climates around the world.
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Article
16 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Morphology
- Range and habitat
- Taxonomy
- Selected genera
- Evolution
- Uses
- Endangered species
- Arthropod pests
- Symbolism
- Other plants
- See also
- References
- Citations
- General and cited sources
- External links
The Arecaceae () are a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order 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 colloquially called palm trees. Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem, except for the Hyphaene genus, which has branched palms. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from rainforests to deserts.
Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history, especially in regions like the Middle East and North Africa. A wide range of 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 for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility.