View source for Biology:Arecaceae

{{Short description|Family of food and ornamental plants}}

{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|80|0}}[[Earth:Late Cretaceous|Late Cretaceous]] – Recent
| image = 1859-Martinique.web.jpg
| image_caption = [[Biology:Coconut|Coconut]] (''Cocos nucifera'') in Martinique
| taxon = Arecaceae
| authority = Bercht. & J.Presl, nom. cons.<ref name="apgiii">{{cite journal |last=Angiosperm Phylogeny Group |year=2009 |title=An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=161 |issue=2 |pages=105–121 |doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x |doi-access=free }}</ref>
| type_genus = ''Areca''
| type_genus_authority =
| subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies
| subdivision_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/family.pl?95 |title=''Arecaceae'' Bercht. & J. Presl, nom. cons. |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2007-04-13 |access-date=2009-07-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811120728/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/family.pl?95 |archive-date=2009-08-11 }}</ref>
| subdivision = {{Linked taxon list
 |Arecoideae   |<!-- Missing authority information, circular redirect -->
 |Calamoideae  |<!-- Missing authority information -->
 |Ceroxyloideae|<!-- Missing authority information -->
 |Coryphoideae |<!-- Missing authority information -->
 |Nypoideae    |<!-- Missing authority information -->
 }}
| diversity = Well over 2600 species in some 202 genera
| diversity_link = List of Arecaceae genera
| synonyms = *Palmae
}}

The '''Arecaceae''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|r|@|"|k|eI|s|i|aɪ}}) is a family of [[Biology:Perennial plant|perennial]], [[Biology:Flowering plant|flowering plant]]s in the [[Biology:Monocotyledon|monocot]] order [[Biology:Arecales|Arecales]]. Their growth form can be [[Biology:Climbing palm|climber]]s, [[Biology:Shrub|shrub]]s, [[Earth:Tree|tree]]-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as '''palms'''. Those having a tree-like form are called '''palm trees'''.<ref>The name "Palmaceae" is not accepted because the name Arecaceae (and its acceptable alternative Palmae, [http://www.bgbm.org/IAPT/Nomenclature/Code/SaintLouis/0022Ch3Sec2a018.htm ICBN Art. 18.5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524104328/http://www.bgbm.org/iapt/nomenclature/code/SaintLouis/0022Ch3Sec2a018.htm |date=2006-05-24 }}) are conserved over other names for the palm family.</ref> Currently, 181 [[Biology:Genus|genera]] with around 2,600 [[Biology:Species|species]] are known,<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baker|first1=William J.|last2=Dransfield|first2=John|date=2016|title=Beyond Genera Palmarum : progress and prospects in palm systematics|journal= Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |language=en|volume=182|issue=2|pages=207–233|doi=10.1111/boj.12401|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Christenhusz-Byng2016">{{cite journal | last1 = Christenhusz |first1=M. J. M. | last2 = Byng |first2=J. W. | year = 2016 | title = The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase | journal = Phytotaxa | volume = 261 | pages = 201–217 | url = http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 | doi = 10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1 | issue = 3 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160729085754/http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 | archive-date = 2016-07-29 | doi-access = free }}</ref> most of which are restricted to tropical and [[Earth:Subtropics|subtropical]] climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, [[Biology:Evergreen|evergreen]] leaves, known as [[Biology:Frond|frond]]s, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem, except for the [[Biology:Hyphaene|Hyphaene]] genus, who has branched palms. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from [[Earth:Rainforest|rainforest]]s to [[Earth:Desert|desert]]s.

Palms are among the best known and most extensively [[Earth:Horticulture|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 for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility.

==Etymology==
The word ''Arecaceae'' is derived from the word ''[[Biology:Areca|areca]]'' with the suffix "-aceae". ''Areca'' is derived from [[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]], via [[Social:Malayalam|Malayalam]] അടയ്ക്ക (''aṭaykka''), which is from [[Social:Dravidian languages|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 [[Biology:Monopodial|monopodial]] character may be exhibited by prostrate, trunkless, and trunk-forming members. Some common palms restricted to solitary growth include ''[[Biology:Washingtonia|Washingtonia]]'' and ''[[Biology:Roystonea|Roystonea]]''. 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 [[Biology:Sympodial|sympodial]] genera include many of the [[Biology:Rattan|rattan]]s, ''[[Biology:Guihaia|Guihaia]]'', and ''[[Biology:Rhapis|Rhapis]]''. Several palm genera have both solitary and clustering members. Palms which are usually solitary may grow in clusters and vice versa.<ref name=uhl>{{cite book |last1=Uhl |first1=Natalie W. |last2=Dransfield |first2=John |year=1987 |title=Genera Palmarum – A classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore |location=Lawrence, Kansas |publisher=Allen Press |isbn=978-0-935868-30-2}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/arec.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060424052701/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/arec.htm|url-status=dead|title=Flowering Plant Families, UH Botany|archive-date=Apr 24, 2006|website=Botany.hawaii.edu}}</ref> The [[Biology:Inflorescence|inflorescence]] is a [[Biology:Spadix (botany)|spadix]] or spike surrounded by one or more [[Biology:Bract|bract]]s or spathes that become woody at maturity. The [[Biology:Flower|flower]]s 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 [[Biology:Fruit|fruit]] is usually a single-[[Biology:Seed|seed]]ed [[Biology:Drupe|drupe]] (sometimes berry-like)<ref>{{eFloras|1|10061|Arecaceae |first=Scott |last=Zona |volume=22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525043634/http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=10061 |archive-date=2006-05-25}}</ref> but some genera (e.g., ''[[Biology:Salacca|Salacca]]'') may contain two or more seeds in each fruit.

[[File:Palm tree trunk.JPG|thumb|left|Sawn palm stem: Palms do not form annual tree rings.]]

Like all monocots, palms do not have the ability to increase the width of a stem ([[Biology:Secondary growth|secondary growth]]) via the same kind of [[Biology:Vascular cambium|vascular cambium]] found in non-monocot [[Biology:Woody plant|woody plant]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Chase|first=Mark W. |date=2004 |title=Monocot relationships: an overview |journal= American Journal of Botany |volume=91 |issue=10 |pages=1645–1655 |doi=10.3732/ajb.91.10.1645 |pmid=21652314|doi-access=free }}</ref> This explains the cylindrical shape of the trunk (almost constant diameter) that is often seen in palms, unlike in ring-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 [[Biology:Xylem|xylem]] inwards and phloem outwards, it is often called "anomalous secondary growth".<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Donoghue | first1 = Michael J. | title = Key innovations, convergence, and success: macroevolutionary lessons from plant phylogeny | url = http://www.phylodiversity.net/donoghue/publications/MJD_papers/2005/149_MJD_Paleo05.pdf | doi = 10.1666/0094-8373(2005)031[0077:KICASM]2.0.CO;2 | year = 2005 | volume = 31 | pages = 77–93 | journal = Paleobiology | issue = sp5 | s2cid = 36988476 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723090605/http://www.phylodiversity.net/donoghue/publications/MJD_papers/2005/149_MJD_Paleo05.pdf | archive-date = 2011-07-23 }}</ref>

The Arecaceae are notable among monocots for their height and for the size of their seeds, leaves, and inflorescences. ''[[Biology:Ceroxylon quindiuense|Ceroxylon quindiuense]]'', Colombia's national tree, is the tallest monocot in the world, reaching up to {{convert|60|m|ft|0}} tall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://idm.presidencia.gov.co/deinteres/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929131924/http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/historia/patrios.htm|url-status=dead|title=Presidencia de la República|archive-date=Sep 29, 2007|website=idm.presidencia.gov.co}}</ref> The ''coco de mer'' (''Lodoicea maldivica'') has the largest seeds of any plant, {{convert|40–50|cm|in|0}} in diameter and weighing {{convert|15–30|kg|lb|0}} each (coconuts are the second largest). Raffia palms (''[[Biology:Raphia (plant)|Raphia]]'' spp.) have the largest leaves of any plant, up to {{convert|25|m|ft|0}} long and {{convert|3|m|ft|0}} wide. The ''[[Biology:Corypha|Corypha]]'' species have the largest inflorescence of any plant, up to {{convert|7.5|m|ft|0}} tall and containing millions of small flowers. ''[[Biology:Calamus (palm)|Calamus]]'' stems can reach {{convert|200|m|ft|0}} in length.

==Range and habitat==

[[File:Washingtonia filifera in Palm Canyon.jpg|thumb|This grove of the native species ''[[Biology:Washingtonia filifera|Washingtonia filifera]]'' in Palm Canyon, just south of Palm Springs, {{wipe|California}}, is growing alongside a stream running through the desert.]]

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. [[Earth:South America|South America]], the Caribbean, and areas of the [[Earth:Pacific Ocean|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 [[Place:Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean Sea]]. The northernmost native palm is ''[[Biology:Chamaerops|Chamaerops humilis]]'', which reaches 44°N latitude along the coast of Liguria, Italy.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00837792.1987.10670414|title=The presence of Chamaerops humilis L. on Portofino promontory (East Liguria)|first1=Francesco|last1=Orsino|first2=Silvia|last2=Olivari|date=Jan 1, 1987|journal=Webbia|volume=41|issue=2|pages=261–272|doi=10.1080/00837792.1987.10670414}}</ref> In the southern hemisphere, the southernmost palm is the ''[[Biology:Nikau|Rhopalostylis sapida]]'', which reaches 44°S on the [[Earth:Chatham Islands|Chatham Islands]] where an [[Earth:Oceanic climate|oceanic climate]] prevails.<ref name="FAO">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/X0451E/X0451e03.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506005013/http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=%2Fdocrep%2FX0451E%2FX0451e03.htm|url-status=dead|title=Tropical Palms by Food and Agriculture Organization|archive-date=May 6, 2006}}</ref> Cultivation of palms is possible north of subtropical climates, and some higher latitude locales such as Ireland, Scotland, England, and the [[Place:Pacific Northwest|Pacific Northwest]] feature a few palms in protected locations and [[Earth:Microclimate|microclimate]]s. In the {{wipe|United States}}, there are at least 12 native palm species, mostly occurring in the states of the Deep South and Florida.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

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 [[Biology:Canopy|canopy]] and shorter ones form part of the [[Biology:Understory|understory]].<ref name = "VPEintro"/> 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 {{convert|1|e3m|e3ft|0|abbr=off}}, such as those in the genus ''[[Biology:Ceroxylon|Ceroxylon]]'' native to the [[Place:Andes|Andes]]. Palms may also live in grasslands and scrublands, usually associated with a water source, and in desert [[Earth:Oasis|oases]] such as the [[Biology:Date palm|date palm]]. A few palms are adapted to extremely [[Chemistry:Base|basic]] lime soils, while others are similarly adapted to extreme [[Chemistry:Potassium deficiency (plants)|potassium deficiency]] and toxicity of heavy metals in [[Earth:Serpentine soil|serpentine soil]]s.<ref name="FAO"/>

==Taxonomy==

[[File:Roystonea-2.jpg|thumb|right|Two ''[[Biology:Roystonea regia|Roystonea regia]]'' specimens. The characteristic crownshaft and apex shoot, or 'spear', are visible.]]

Palms are a [[Biology:Monophyly|monophyletic]] group of plants, meaning the group consists of a common ancestor and all its descendants.<ref name = "VPEintro"/> 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 6 subfamilies.<ref>N. W. Uhl, J. Dransfield (1987). ''Genera palmarum: a classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore, Jr.'' (Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas).</ref> A few general traits of each subfamily are listed below.

* Subfamily '''{{vanchor|Arecoideae|text=[[Biology:Arecoideae|Arecoideae]]}}''' are the largest subfamily with [[Biology:List of Arecaceae genera#Subfamily Arecoideae|14 tribes]] and 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.
* Subfamily '''{{vanchor|Calamoideae|text=[[Biology:Calamoideae|Calamoideae]]}}''' includes the climbing palms, such as rattans. The leaves are usually pinnate; derived characters (synapomorphies) 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 '''{{vanchor|Ceroxyloideae|text=[[Biology:Ceroxyloideae|Ceroxyloideae]]}}''' has small to medium-sized flowers, spirally arranged, with a [[Biology:Gynoecium|gynoecium]] of three joined carpels.
* Subfamily '''{{vanchor|Coryphoideae|text=[[Biology:Coryphoideae|Coryphoideae]]}}''' are the second-largest subfamily with [[Biology:List of Arecaceae genera#Subfamily Coryphoideae|8 tribes]]. 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 '''{{vanchor|Nypoideae|text=[[Biology:Nypoideae|Nypoideae]]}}''' contains only one species, ''[[Biology:Nypa fruticans|Nypa fruticans]]'',<ref>{{cite book|title=Australian Palms: Biogeography, Ecology and Systematics|author=John Leslie Dowe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fk5ud3uuLW8C&q=Nypoideae&pg=PA83|page=83|access-date=April 20, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202163500/http://books.google.com.vn/books?id=Fk5ud3uuLW8C&pg=PA83&lpg=PA83&dq=Nypoideae&source=bl&ots=GLh89V2U04&sig=-rXN3kSbWv1-bOs8xgcDThEfC84&hl=vi&sa=X&ei=ekWRT4iCJ4TeigfavvSJBA&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Nypoideae&f=false|archive-date=February 2, 2014|isbn=9780643096158|year=2010|publisher=Csiro }}</ref> which has large, pinnate leaves. The fruit is unusual in that it floats, and the stem is underground and dichotomously branched, also unusual in palms.

The '''{{vanchor|Phytelephantoideae|text=[[Biology:Phytelepheae|Phytelephantoideae]]}}''' is the sixth subfamily of Arecaceae in N.W. Uhl and J. Dransfield's 1987 classification. 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. From the modern phylogenomic data, the Phytelephantoideae are tribe in the  [[Biology:Ceroxyloideae#Phytelepheae|Ceroxyloideae]] subfamily.<ref name = "UA"/>

Currently, few extensive phylogenetic studies of the Arecaceae exist. In 1997, Baker ''et al.'' explored subfamily and tribe relationships using chloroplast [[Biology:DNA|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, [[Biology:Homoplasy|homoplasy]] in morphological character states, slow rates of molecular evolution important for the use of standard DNA markers, and character polarization.<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=3070898|title=A Molecular Phylogenetic Study of the Palmae (Arecaceae) Based on ''atp''B, ''rbc''L, and 18S nrDNA Sequences |last1=Hahn |first1=William J. |journal=Systematic Biology |year=2002 |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=92–112 |doi=10.1080/106351502753475899 |pmid=11943094 |doi-access=free }}</ref> 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.<ref name="UA">{{cite web|url=http://arboretum.arizona.edu/palms.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621003136/http://arboretum.arizona.edu/palms.htm|url-status=dead|title=Palms on the University of Arizona Campus|archive-date=June 21, 2006}}</ref>

Recently, nuclear genomes and transcriptomes have been used to reconstruct the phylogeny of palms. This has revealed, for example, that a whole-genome duplication event occurred early in the evolution of the Arecaceae lineage, that was not experienced by its sister clade, the [[Biology:Dasypogonaceae|Dasypogonaceae]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Genome Biology and Evolution |date=2019 |url=https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/11/5/1501/5481000 |access-date=2023-11-07 |doi=10.1093/gbe/evz092 |pmc=6535811 |pmid=31028709 |last1=Barrett |first1=C. F. |last2=McKain |first2=M. R. |last3=Sinn |first3=B. T. |last4=Ge |first4=X. J. |last5=Zhang |first5=Y. |last6=Antonelli |first6=A. |last7=Bacon |first7=C. D. |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1501–1511 }}</ref>

For a [[Biology:Phylogenetic tree|phylogenetic tree]] of the family, see the [[Biology:List of Arecaceae genera#Taxonomy|list of Arecaceae genera]].

==Selected genera==
[[File:Palmtreesil.jpg|thumb|right|Silhouette of palms in KwaZulu-Natal, {{wipe|South Africa}}]]
[[File:MultanEvening.jpg|thumb|left|Multan, Pakistan]]
[[File:Various Arecaceae.jpg|thumb|right|Various Arecaceae]]
[[File:Beccariophoenix alfredii 100.jpg|thumb|left|Young ''Beccariophoenix alfredii''|alt=Pair of young ''Beccariophoenix alfredii'']]
[[File:Palma Real.jpeg|thumb|right|Cuban royal palm]]
[[File:Crown shaft base.jpg|thumb|upright|Crown shaft base of Royal palm]]

*''[[Biology:Archontophoenix|Archontophoenix]]''—[[Biology:Archontophoenix cunninghamiana|Bangalow palm]]
*''[[Biology:Areca|Areca]]''—[[Biology:Areca catechu|Betel palm]]
*''[[Biology:Astrocaryum|Astrocaryum]]''
*''[[Biology:Attalea (plant)|Attalea]]''
*''[[Biology:Bactris|Bactris]]''—[[Biology:Bactris gasipaes|Pupunha]]
*''[[Biology:Beccariophoenix|Beccariophoenix]]''—[[Biology:Beccariophoenix alfredii|Beccariophoenix alfredii]]
*''[[Biology:Bismarckia|Bismarckia]]''—Bismarck palm
*''[[Biology:Borassus|Borassus]]''—Palmyra palm, [[Biology:Borassus flabellifer|sugar palm]], [[Biology:Borassus flabellifer|toddy palm]]
*''[[Biology:Butia|Butia]]''
*''[[Biology:Calamus (palm)|Calamus]]''—[[Biology:Rattan|Rattan]] palm
*''[[Biology:Ceroxylon|Ceroxylon]]''
*''[[Biology:Coconut|Cocos]]''—Coconut
*''[[Biology:Coccothrinax|Coccothrinax]]''
*''[[Biology:Copernicia|Copernicia]]''—[[Chemistry:Carnauba wax|Carnauba wax]] palm
*''[[Biology:Corypha|Corypha]]''—Gebang palm, Buri palm or Talipot palm
*''[[Biology:Elaeis|Elaeis]]''—Oil palm
*''[[Biology:Euterpe (plant)|Euterpe]]''—Cabbage heart palm, açaí palm
*''[[Biology:Hyphaene|Hyphaene]]''—[[Biology:Hyphaene thebaica|Doum palm]]
*''[[Biology:Jubaea|Jubaea]]''—Chilean wine palm, Coquito palm
*''[[Biology:Latania|Latania]]''—Latan palm
*''[[Biology:Licuala|Licuala]]''
*''[[Biology:Livistona|Livistona]]''—Cabbage palm
*''[[Biology:Mauritia|Mauritia]]''—Moriche palm
*''[[Biology:Metroxylon|Metroxylon]]''—[[Biology:Metroxylon sagu|Sago palm]]
*''[[Biology:Nypa fruticans|Nypa]]''—[[Biology:Nypa fruticans|Nipa palm]]
*''[[Biology:Parajubaea|Parajubaea]]''—Bolivian coconut palms
*''[[Biology:Phoenix (plant)|Phoenix]]''—[[Biology:Date palm|Date palm]]
*''[[Biology:Pritchardia|Pritchardia]]''
*''[[Biology:Raphia (plant)|Raphia]]''—Raffia palm
*''[[Biology:Rhapidophyllum|Rhapidophyllum]]''
*''[[Biology:Rhapis|Rhapis]]''
*''[[Biology:Roystonea|Roystonea]]''—Royal palm
*''[[Biology:Sabal|Sabal]]''—Palmettos
*''[[Biology:Salacca|Salacca]]''—[[Biology:Salak|Salak]]
*''[[Biology:Syagrus (plant)|Syagrus]]''—[[Biology:Syagrus romanzoffiana|Queen palm]]
*''[[Biology:Thrinax|Thrinax]]''
*''[[Biology:Trachycarpus|Trachycarpus]]''—[[Biology:Trachycarpus fortunei|Windmill palm]], [[Biology:Trachycarpus takil|Kumaon palm]]
*''[[Biology:Trithrinax|Trithrinax]]''
*''[[Biology:Veitchia|Veitchia]]''—Manila palm, [[Biology:Veitchia joannis|Joannis palm]]
*''[[Biology:Washingtonia|Washingtonia]]''—Fan palm

==Evolution==
The Arecaceae were the first modern family of monocots to appear in the fossil record around 80&nbsp;million years ago (Mya), during the late [[Earth:Cretaceous|Cretaceous]] period. The first modern species, such as ''[[Biology:Nypa fruticans|Nypa fruticans]]'' and ''[[Biology:Acrocomia aculeata|Acrocomia aculeata]]'', appeared 69&nbsp;Mya, as evidenced by fossil ''Nypa'' pollen. Palms appear to have undergone an early period of adaptive radiation. By 60&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/evolution/vpe_evolution.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418044328/http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/evolution/vpe_evolution.htm|url-status=dead|website=Virtual Palm Encyclopedia |title=Evolution and the fossil record|archive-date=Apr 18, 2006}}</ref>  Several species of palms have been identified from flowers preserved in amber, including ''[[Biology:Palaeoraphe|Palaeoraphe dominicana]]'' and ''[[Biology:Roystonea palaea|Roystonea palaea]]''.<ref name="Poinar2002">{{cite journal |last1=Poinar |first1=G. |year=2002 |title= Fossil palm flowers in Dominican and Baltic amber|journal= Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=139 |issue = 4 |pages=361–367 |doi=10.1046/j.1095-8339.2002.00052.x|doi-access=free }}</ref>  Fossil evidence{{clarification needed|reason=evidence of what?|date=May 2023}} of them can also be found in samples of petrified palmwood.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The relationship between the subfamilies is shown in the following cladogram:{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
{{clade|style=font-size:100%;line-height:100%
|label1=Arecaceae
|1={{clade
   |1=[[Biology:Calamoideae|Calamoideae]]
   |2={{clade
      |1=[[Biology:Nypoideae|Nypoideae]]
      |2={{clade
         |1=[[Biology:Coryphoideae|Coryphoideae]]
         |2={{clade
            |1=[[Biology:Ceroxyloideae|Ceroxyloideae]]
            |2=[[Biology:Arecoideae|Arecoideae]]
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}

==Uses==
[[File:Arecaceae tree in Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|Arecaceae are common in Saudi Arabia]]
[[File:Chestnut in Guntur.jpg|thumb|upright=0.81|Palmyra palm fruit at Guntur, {{wipe|India}}]]
Human use of palms is at least as old as human civilization itself, starting with the cultivation of the date palm by [[Place:Mesopotamia|Mesopotamia]]ns and other Middle Eastern peoples 5000 years or more ago.<ref name="FAO date palm info">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0681E/t0681e02.htm |title=Date Palm Products – Introduction |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations| access-date=2007-06-12 |author =  W.H. Barreveld| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070619094447/http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0681E/t0681e02.htm| archive-date= 19 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> Date wood, pits for storing dates, and other remains of the date palm have been found in Mesopotamian sites.<ref name="datesex">{{Cite web|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20040113064610/http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/research/Exp_Rese_Disc/NearEast/datesex.shtml|archive-date=2004-01-13|url=http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/research/Exp_Rese_Disc/NearEast/datesex.shtml|title=Museum Researcher Makes Revealing Discovery |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Naomi F. |title=Plant Forms in Jewellery from the Royal Cemetery at Ur |journal=Iraq |date=2000 |volume=62 |pages=149–155 |doi=10.2307/4200486|jstor=4200486 |s2cid=191372053 }}</ref> The date palm had a tremendous effect on the history of the Middle East. W.H. Barreveld wrote:

{{Quote|One could go as far as to say that, had the date palm not existed, the expansion of the human race into the hot and barren parts of the "old" world would have been much more restricted. The date palm not only provided a concentrated energy food, which could be easily stored and carried along on long journeys across the deserts, it also created a more amenable habitat for the people to live in by providing shade and protection from the desert winds (Fig. 1). In addition, the date palm also yielded a variety of products for use in agricultural production and for domestic utensils, and practically all parts of the palm had a useful purpose.<ref name = "FAO date palm info"/>}}

An indication of the importance of palms in ancient times is that they are mentioned more than 30 times in the [[Religion:Bible|Bible]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?search=palm+-hand&searchtype=all&version1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310223919/http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=palm+-hand&searchtype=all&version1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73|url-status=dead|title=BibleGateway.com - Keyword Search|archive-date=Mar 10, 2007|website=Biblegateway.com}}</ref> and at least 22 times in the [[Religion:Quran|Quran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=simple&q1=palm&size=First+100|title=The Koran|website=Quod.lib.umich.edu}}</ref>

Arecaceae have great economic importance, including coconut products, oils, dates, [[Biology:Palm syrup|palm syrup]], 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.<ref name="agricultural-significance-bundle">
   {{Unbulleted list citebundle
      |{{cite journal | last1=Hufford | first1=Matthew B. | last2=Berny Mier y Teran | first2=Jorge C. | last3=Gepts | first3=Paul | title=Crop Biodiversity: An Unfinished Magnum Opus of Nature | journal=[[Biology:Annual Review of Plant Biology|Annual Review of Plant Biology]] | publisher=Annual Reviews | volume=70 | issue=1 | date=2019-04-29 | issn=1543-5008 | doi=10.1146/annurev-arplant-042817-040240 | pages=727–751| pmid=31035827 | s2cid=140371099 | url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8g4377pd }}
      |{{cite journal | last1=Roncal | first1=Julissa | last2=Zona | first2=Scott | last3=Lewis | first3=Carl E. | title=Molecular Phylogenetic Studies of Caribbean Palms (Arecaceae) and Their Relationships to Biogeography and Conservation | journal=The Botanical Review | publisher=[[Organization:New York Botanical Garden|New York Botanical Garden]] ([[Company:Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]) | volume=74 | issue=1 | year=2008 | issn=0006-8101 | doi=10.1007/s12229-008-9005-9 | pages=78–102 | s2cid=40119059 | quote=comparable only to the[''sic''] that of grasses and legumes | quote-page=79}}
      |{{cite book | last=Johnson | first=Dennis V. | title=Tropical Palms | date=2010 | publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | url=http://www.fao.org/3/i1590e/i1590e00.htm | access-date=2022-03-24 | isbn=978-92-5-106742-0 | oclc=712674911}}
      |{{cite journal | doi=10.1007/s12229-011-9086-8 | title=Palm Uses in Northwestern South America: A Quantitative Review | first1=Manuel J. | last1=Macía | first2=Pedro J. | last2=Armesilla | first3=Rodrigo | last3=Cámara-Leret | first4=Narel | last4=Paniagua-Zambrana | first5=Soraya | last5=Villalba | first6=Henrik | last6=Balslev | first7=Manuel | last7=Pardo-de-Santayana | journal=The Botanical Review | publisher=[[Organization:New York Botanical Garden|New York Botanical Garden]] ([[Company:Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]) | issn=0006-8101 | volume=77 | pages=462–570 | date=2011| issue=4 | s2cid=24354469 }}
      |{{cite journal | last1=Fehr | first1=Vincent | last2=Buitenwerf | first2=Robert | last3=Svenning | first3=Jens‐Christian | title=Non‐native palms (Arecaceae) as generators of novel ecosystems: A global assessment | journal=Diversity and Distributions | publisher=Wiley | volume=26 | issue=11 | date=2020-08-25 | issn=1366-9516 | doi=10.1111/ddi.13150 | pages=1523–1538| s2cid=225298021 | doi-access=free }}
      |{{cite journal | last1=Tregear | first1=James W. | last2=Rival | first2=Alain | last3=Pintaud | first3=Jean-Christophe | title=A family portrait: unravelling the complexities of palms | journal=Annals of Botany | publisher=Annals of Botany Company ([[Organization:Oxford University Press|OUP]]) | volume=108 | issue=8 | year=2011 | issn=1095-8290 | doi=10.1093/aob/mcr269 | pages=1387–1389| pmid=22200064 | pmc=3219500 }}
      |{{cite journal | last1=Eiserhardt | first1=Wolf L. | last2=Svenning | first2=Jens-Christian | last3=Kissling | first3=W. Daniel | last4=Balslev | first4=Henrik | title=Geographical ecology of the palms (Arecaceae): determinants of diversity and distributions across spatial scales | journal=Annals of Botany | publisher=Annals of Botany Company ([[Organization:Oxford University Press|OUP]]) | volume=108 | issue=8 | date=2011-06-28 | issn=1095-8290 | doi=10.1093/aob/mcr146 | pages=1391–1416| pmid=21712297 | pmc=3219491 }}
   }}
</ref> 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 {{endash}} sharing the top spot with the [[Biology:Poaceae|Poaceae]] and [[Biology:Fabaceae|Fabaceae]].<ref name="agricultural-significance-bundle" /> These human uses have also spread many Arecaceae species around the world.<ref name="agricultural-significance-bundle" />

Along with dates mentioned above, members of the palm family with human uses are numerous.
*The type member of Arecaceae is the areca palm (''[[Biology:Areca catechu|Areca catechu]]''), the fruit of which, the [[Biology:Areca nut|areca nut]], is chewed with the [[Biology:Betel|betel]] leaf for intoxicating effects.
*Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of a Brazilian palm (''Copernicia'').
*[[Biology:Rattan|Rattan]]s, whose stems are used extensively in [[Engineering:Furniture|furniture]] and [[Engineering:Basket|basket]]s, are in the genus ''Calamus''.
*Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil produced by the oil palms in the genus ''[[Biology:Elaeis|Elaeis]]''.
*Several species are harvested for [[Biology:Heart of palm|heart of palm]], a vegetable eaten in salads.
*Sap of the nipa palm, ''[[Biology:Nypa fruticans|Nypa fruticans]]'', is used to make vinegar.
*Palm sap is sometimes fermented to produce [[Biology:Palm wine|palm wine]] or toddy, an alcoholic beverage common in parts of Africa, India, and the {{wipe|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/x0560e/x0560e09.htm|title=Chapter Four: Products of Yeast Fermentation|last1=Battcock|first1=Mike|last2=Azam-Ali|first2=Sue|website= Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>
*Palmyra and date palm sap is harvested in Bengal, India, to process into ''gur'' and ''[[Chemistry:Jaggery|jaggery]]''.
*[[Chemistry:Dragon's blood|Dragon's blood]], a red resin used traditionally in [[Medicine:Medicine|medicine]], varnish, and dyes, may be obtained from the fruit of ''[[Biology:Daemonorops|Daemonorops]]'' species.
*[[Biology:Coconut|Coconut]] is the partially edible seed of the fruit of the coconut palm (''Cocos nucifera'').
*[[Biology:Coir|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. [[Chemistry:Sago|Sago]], for example, a [[Chemistry:Starch|starch]] made from the pith of the trunk of the sago palm ''[[Biology:Metroxylon sagu|Metroxylon sagu]]'', is a major staple food 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 ''[[Biology:Jubaea|Jubaea]]'' also called Chilean wine palm, or coquito palm
*Recently, the fruit of the açaí palm ''Euterpe''  has been used for its reputed health benefits.
*Saw palmetto (''[[Biology:Serenoa repens|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).<ref name="FAO"/>
*Ornamental uses: Today, palms are valuable as ornamental plants and are often grown along streets in tropical and subtropical cities. ''[[Biology:Chamaedorea elegans|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 ''[[Biology:Trachycarpus fortunei|Trachycarpus fortunei]]'', native to eastern Asia, and ''Rhapidophyllum hystrix'' and ''[[Biology:Sabal minor|Sabal minor]]'', both native to the southeastern United States. 
*The southeastern U.S. state of South Carolina is nicknamed the Palmetto State after the [[Biology:Sabal palmetto|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/fomo/2_History/FOMO%20RevWar%20Exhibit%20Text.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110143616/http://www.nps.gov/fomo/2_History/FOMO%20RevWar%20Exhibit%20Text.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Revolutionary War Exhibit Text|date=November 2002|archive-date=November 10, 2006}}</ref>
*Singaporean politician Tan Cheng Bock uses a palm tree-like symbol similar to a ''[[Biology:Ravenala|Ravenala]]'' to represent him in the 2011 Singaporean presidential election.<ref>{{cite news|last=See|first=Sharon|title=PE: Candidates unveil election symbols|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1147568/1/.html|access-date=22 August 2011|newspaper=Channel News Asia|date=18 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023101740/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1147568/1/.html|archive-date=23 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The symbol of a party he founded, Progress Singapore Party, was also based on a palm tree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/psp-can-only-help-people-take-up-issues-if-voted-into-parliament-says-tan-cheng-bock-at|title=PSP can help people take up issues only if voted into Parliament, says Tan Cheng Bock at party launch|date=3 August 2019|website=The Straits Times}}</ref>
*On Ash Wednesday, 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".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lemke |first1=Rebekah |title=3 MUST-KNOW FACTS ABOUT ASH WEDNESDAY |url=https://www.crs.org/stories/3-must-know-facts-about-ash-wednesday |website=Catholic Relief Services |date=16 January 2019 |access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref>

<gallery widths="150px" heights="200px">
Image:Dates on date palm.jpg|Fruit of the date palm ''Phoenix dactylifera''
Image:Santa Monica Palm Trees.jpg|''[[Biology:Washingtonia robusta|Washingtonia robusta]]'' 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.
</gallery>

==Endangered species==
[[Image:Pritchardia affinis.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Biology:Pritchardia affinis|Pritchardia affinis]]'', a critically endangered species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands]]

Like many other plants, palms have been threatened by human intervention and exploitation. The greatest risk to palms is [[Earth:Habitat destruction|destruction of habitat]], especially in the [[Earth:Tropical forest|tropical forest]]s, due to [[Earth:Urbanization|urbanization]], [[Biology:Woodchipping|wood-chipping]], mining, and conversion to farmland. 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).<ref name="KaheleHeartsHanaHou">{{cite magazine |url= http://www.hanahou.com/pages/Magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=591&MagazineID=38 |title= Big Island Hearts |author= Rose Kahele |magazine= Hana Hou! |volume=10 |issue=4 |date= August–September 2007 |access-date= 2016-08-14 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160826100500/http://www.hanahou.com/pages/Magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=591&MagazineID=38 |archive-date= 2016-08-26 }}</ref> The use of rattan palms 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.<ref>{{Cite book | title = Palms: Their Conservation and Sustained Utilization | year = 1996 | editor = Dennis Johnson | publisher = International Union for Conservation of Nature | isbn = 978-2-8317-0352-7 | url = http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SSC/SSCwebsite/Act_Plans/Executive_Summary_Palms_Action_Plan_EN.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090114055220/http://intranet.iucn.org/webfiles/doc/SSC/SSCwebsite/Act_Plans/Executive_Summary_Palms_Action_Plan_EN.pdf | archive-date = 2009-01-14 | access-date = 2009-07-02 }}</ref> 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.<ref name = "VPEintro"/>

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.<ref name = "VPEconserv"/> 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.<ref name="VPEconserv">{{cite web|url=http://www.plantapalm.com/Vpe/conservation/vpe_conservation2.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815153142/http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/conservation/vpe_conservation2.htm|url-status=dead|title=Palm Conservation: Its Atecedents, Status, and Needs|archive-date=Aug 15, 2006}}</ref>

The rarest palm known is ''[[Biology:Hyophorbe amaricaulis|Hyophorbe amaricaulis]]''. The only living individual remains at the Botanic Gardens of Curepipe in [[Earth:Mauritius|Mauritius]].

==Arthropod pests==
Some pests are specialists to particular [[Biology:Taxon|taxa]]. Pests that attack a ''variety'' of species of palms include:

* ''[[Biology:Raoiella indica|Raoiella indica]]'', the red palm mite<ref name="doacs.state.fl.us">{{cite web |url=http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/r.indica.html |title=Pest Alerts - Red palm mite, DPI - FDACS |publisher=Doacs.state.fl.us |access-date=2010-07-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202081139/http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/ento/r.indica.html |archive-date=2010-12-02 }}</ref>
* ''[[Biology:Caryobruchus gleditsiae|Caryobruchus gleditsiae]]'', the palm seed beetle or palm seed weevil<ref>{{cite journal|author=Robert E. Woodruff |year=1968 |title=The palm seed "weevil," ''Caryobruchus gleditsiae'' (L.) in Florida (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) |journal=Entomology Circular |volume=73 |pages=1–2 |url=http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/enpp/ento/entcirc/ent073.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724124842/http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/enpp/ento/entcirc/ent073.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-24 }}</ref>
* ''[[Biology:Rhynchophorus ferrugineus|Rhynchophorus ferrugineus]]'', the red palm weevil, recently introduced to Europe<ref>[http://www.pestalert.org/viewNewsAlert.cfm?naid=38 ''Rhynchophorus ferrugineus''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723191326/http://www.pestalert.org/viewNewsAlert.cfm?naid=38 |date=2007-07-23 }} at North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO)</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite journal |last1=Ferry |first1=F. |last2=Gómez |first2=S. |year=2002 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259759064 |title=The Red Palm Weevil in the Mediterranean Area |journal=Palms |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=172–178}}</ref>

==Symbolism==


[[File:Edward Hitchcock Paleontological Chart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Edward Hitchcock's fold-out paleontological chart in his 1840 ''Elementary Geology'', showing the Palms as the crown of the plant tree of life, alongside Man as the crown of the animal tree of life.]]

The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in [[History:Classical antiquity|classical antiquity]]. The [[History:Ancient Rome|Romans]] rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches. Early [[Religion:Christians|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 [[Place:Jerusalem|Jerusalem]]. In [[Religion:Judaism|Judaism]], the palm represents peace and plenty, and is one of the Four Species of Sukkot; the palm may also symbolize the Tree of Life in [[Unsolved:Kabbalah|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.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

In 1840, the American geologist Edward Hitchcock (1793–1864) published the first tree-like paleontology chart in his ''Elementary Geology'', with two separate [[Biology:Tree of life|trees of life]] for the plants and the animals. These are crowned (graphically) with the Palms and with Man.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Archibald |first1=J. David |year=2009 |title=Edward Hitchcock's Pre-Darwinian (1840) 'Tree of Life' |doi=10.1007/s10739-008-9163-y |pmid=20027787 |journal=Journal of the History of Biology |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=561–592 |citeseerx=10.1.1.688.7842 |s2cid=16634677 }}</ref>

Today, the palm, especially the coconut palm, remains a symbol of the tropical island [[Unsolved:Paradise|paradise]].<ref name="VPEintro">{{cite web|url=http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/introduction/vpe_introduction.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719185520/http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/introduction/vpe_introduction.htm|url-status=dead|title=Virtual Palm Encyclopedia – Introduction|archive-date=Jul 19, 2006}}</ref>
Palms appear on the flags and seals of several places where they are native, including those of Haiti, Guam, Saudi Arabia, Florida, and South Carolina.

[[File:Palm trees on farm.jpg|thumb|Palm trees on farm blown by wind.]]

==Other plants==
Some species commonly called palms, though they are not true palms, include:

*''[[Biology:Ailanthus altissima|Ailanthus altissima]]'' (Ghetto palm), a tree in the flowering plant family [[Biology:Simaroubaceae|Simaroubaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1699/|title=PlantFiles: Ailanthus Species, Chinese Sumac, Ghetto Palm, Stinking Sumac, Tree of Heaven, Varnish Tree|website=Davesgarden.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Alocasia odora|Alocasia odora]] x gageana'' 'Calidora' (Persian palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Araceae|Araceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/alocasia-calidora|title=Alocasia 'Calidora' Elephant's ear Persian palm Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice|website=Shootgardening.co.uk|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Aloe thraskii|Aloe thraskii]]'' (Palm aloe), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Asphodelaceae|Asphodelaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aloaceae/764/Aloe_thraskii|title=Aloe thraskii|website=Llifle.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Amorphophallus konjac|Amorphophallus konjac]]'' (Snake palm), a flowering plant in the family Araceae<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/amorphophallus-konjac|title=Amorphophallus konjac Devil's tongue Snake palm Umbrella arum Voodoo lily rivieri mairei Konjaku Konnyaku Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice|website=Shootgardening.co.uk|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Beaucarnea recurvata|Beaucarnea recurvata]]'' (Ponytail palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Asparagaceae|Asparagaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm|title=StackPath|website=Gardeningknowhow.com|date=16 February 2012 |access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Begonia luxurians|Begonia luxurians]]'' (Palm leaf begonia), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Begoniaceae|Begoniaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/begonia-luxurians/|title=Begonia luxurians|website=Gardenersworld.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Biophytum umbraculum|Biophytum umbraculum]]'' (South Pacific palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Oxalidaceae|Oxalidaceae]]<ref>{{eol|2886021|''Biophytum umbraculum''}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Blechnum appendiculatum|Blechnum appendiculatum]]'' (Palm fern), a fern  in the family [[Biology:Aspleniaceae|Aspleniaceae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/118974 |title=Blechnum appendiculatum (palm fern) |website=Cabi.org |date= |access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Brassica oleracea|Brassica oleracea]]'' 'Lacinato kale' (Black Tuscan palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Brassicaceae|Brassicaceae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/tuscan-black-kale-cavolo-nero.php|work=Heal with food|title=Why Black Tuscan Kale (Cavolo Nero) is Good for You|accessdate=3 February 2023}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Brighamia insignis|Brighamia insignis]]'' (Vulcan palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Campanulaceae|Campanulaceae]]<ref>{{cite news|newspaper={{wipe|The Guardian}}|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/10/gardens-all-hail-the-vulcan-palm|title=Gardens: all hail the vulcan palm|date=10 January 2016}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Carludovica palmata|Carludovica palmata]]'' (Panama hat palm)<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> and perhaps other members in the family [[Biology:Cyclanthaceae|Cyclanthaceae]].
*''[[Biology:Cordyline australis|Cordyline australis]]''<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> (Cabbage palm, Torbay palm, ti palm) or palm lily<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> (family Asparagaceae) and other representatives in the genus ''[[Biology:Cordyline|Cordyline]]''.
*''[[Biology:Cyathea cunninghamii|Cyathea cunninghamii]]'' (Palm fern)<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> and other tree ferns (families [[Biology:Cyatheaceae|Cyatheaceae]] and [[Biology:Dicksoniaceae|Dicksoniaceae]]) that may be confused with palms.
*''[[Biology:Cycas revoluta|Cycas revoluta]]'' (Sago palm)<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> and the rest of the order [[Biology:Cycadales|Cycadales]].
*''[[Biology:Cyperus alternifolius|Cyperus alternifolius]]'' (Umbrella palm), a sedge in the family [[Biology:Cyperaceae|Cyperaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pondinformer.com/umbrella-palm-cyperus-alternifolius/|title=How to Plant & Grow Umbrella Palm (Cyperus alternifolius)|website=Pondinformer.com|date=15 August 2021|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Dasylirion longissimum|Dasylirion longissimum]]'' (Grass palm), a flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20040605/dealing-with-drought|title = Dealing with drought|website=Gainescille.com}}</ref> and other plants in the genus ''[[Biology:Dasylirion|Dasylirion]]''
*''[[Biology:Dioon spinulosum|Dioon spinulosum]]'' (Gum palm), a [[Biology:Cycad|cycad]] in the family [[Biology:Zamiaceae|Zamiaceae]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gardenia.net/plant/dioon-spinulosum|title=Dioon spinulosum (Giant Dioon)|website=Gardenia.net|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''Dracaena marginata'' (Dragon palm) a flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://homeguides.sfgate.com/trimming-dracaena-dragon-palm-31228.html|title=Trimming the Dracaena Dragon Palm|website=Homeguide.sfgate|date=6 June 2012 |access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Eisenia arborea|Eisenia arborea]]'' (Southern sea palm), a species of [[Biology:Phaeophyceae|brown alga]] in the family [[Biology:Lessoniaceae|Lessoniaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/461/eisenia/arborea/southern-sea-palm|title=SIMoN :: Species Database|website=Sanctuarysimon.org|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Fatsia japonica|Fatsia japonica]]'' (Figleaf palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Araliaceae|Araliaceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/fatsia-japonica/|title=Fatsia japonica (Big-leaf paper plant, Figleaf Palm, Formosa rice tree, Glossy-Leaved Paper Plant, Japanese Aralia, Japanese Fatsia, Paper Plant) &#124; North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox|website=Plants.ces.ncsu.edu|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Hypnodendron comosum|Hypnodendron comosum]]'' (Palm tree moss or palm moss), a [[Biology:Moss|moss]] in the family [[Biology:Hypnodendraceae|Hypnodendraceae]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jungledragon.com/image/96668/palm_tree_moss_-_hypnodendron_comosum.html|title=Palm Tree Moss - Hypnodendron comosum - by Patomarazul - JungleDragon|website=Jungledragon.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Musa (genus)|Musa]]'' species (Banana palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Musaceae|Musaceae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutpalmtrees.com/banana-palm-tree|title = Banana Palm Tree}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Pachypodium lamerei|Pachypodium lamerei]]'' (Madagascar palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Apocynaceae|Apocynaceae]]<ref name = RHSPF>{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - ''Pachypodium lamerei''|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/78365/Pachypodium-lamerei/Details | access-date = 16 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 70 | website=Rhs.org.uk | access-date = 14 April 2018}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Pandanus spiralis|Pandanus spiralis]]'' (Screw palm), a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Pandanaceae|Pandanaceae]]<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms">FAO 1995. ''Tropical Palms.''. Introduction. {{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/X0451E/X0451e03.htm |title=Tropical Palms - Introduction |access-date=2006-07-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831134230/http://www.fao.org/docrep/X0451E/X0451e03.htm |archive-date=2006-08-31 }} ''NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS'' 10. FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. {{ISBN|92-5-104213-6}}</ref> and perhaps other ''[[Biology:Pandanus|Pandanus]]'' spp.
*''[[Biology:Ravenala|Ravenala]]'' (Traveller's palm),<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> a flowering plant in the family [[Biology:Strelitziaceae|Strelitziaceae]]
*''[[Biology:Setaria palmifolia|Setaria palmifolia]]'' (Palm grass),<ref name="FAO Tropical Palms" /> a grass in the family [[Biology:Poaceae|Poaceae]]
*''[[Biology:Yucca brevifolia|Yucca brevifolia]]'' (Yucca palm or palm tree yucca)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gardenia.net/plant/yucca-brevifolia|title=Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree)|website=Gardenia.net|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
*''[[Biology:Yucca filamentosa|Yucca filamentosa]]'' (Needle palm)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gardenia.net/plant/yucca-filamentosa-adam-needle|title=Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle)|website=Gardenia.net|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref> and ''[[Biology:Yucca filifera|Yucca filifera]]'' (St. Peter's palm),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/182647/yucca-filifera/details|title=Yucca filifera &#124; St. Peter's palm Conservatory Greenhouse/RHS Gardening|website=Rhs.org.uk|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref> flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae
*''[[Biology:Zamia furfuracea|Zamia furfuracea]]'' (Cardboard palm), a cycad in the family Zamiaceae<ref>{{cite web|title=What Is A Zamia Cardboard Palm: Tips On Growing Cardboard Palms|url=https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/cardboard-palm-plants/growing-cardboard-palms.htm|access-date=2 January 2022|website=Gardeningknowhow.com|date=24 December 2013 }}</ref>
*''Zamioculcas zamiifolia'' (Emerald palm or aroid palm), a flowering plant in the family Araceae<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/zamioculcas.html|title=Zamioculcas, a survivor plant born eons ago - and perfect for the home!|date=2 December 2021|website=Nature-and-garden.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Biology:Coconut|Coconut]]
* [[Biology:Fan palm|Fan palm]]—genera with palmate leaves
* [[Biology:List of Arecaceae genera|List of Arecaceae genera]]
* [[Biology:List of foliage plant diseases (Arecaceae)|List of foliage plant diseases (Arecaceae)]]
* [[Biology:List of hardy palms|List of hardy palms]]—palms able to withstand colder temperatures
* ''[[Biology:Postelsia|Postelsia]]''—called the "sea palm" (a brown alga)

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

=== General sources ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Dransfield |first1=J. |last2=Uhl |first2=N. W. |last3=Asmussen |first3=C. B. |last4=Baker |first4=W. J. |last5=Harley |first5=M. M. |last6=Lewis |first6=C. E. |date=January 2005 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215898364 |title=A new phylogenetic classification of the palm family, Arecaceae |journal=Kew Bulletin |volume=60 |issue=4 |pages=559–569}} (Latest Arecaceae or Palmae classification.)
* {{cite journal |jstor=3070898|title=A Molecular Phylogenetic Study of the Palmae (Arecaceae) Based on ''atp''B, ''rbc''L, and 18S nrDNA Sequences |last1=Hahn |first1=William J. |journal=Systematic Biology |year=2002 |volume=51 |issue=1 |pages=92–112 |doi=10.1080/106351502753475899 |pmid=11943094 |doi-access=free }}
* Schultz-Schultzenstein, C. H. (1832). [https://archive.org/details/natrlichessyste00schugoog/mode/2up ''Natürliches System des Pflanzenreichs...''], p. [https://archive.org/details/natrlichessyste00schugoog/page/n358/mode/2up 317]. Berlin, Germany. {{in lang|de}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Palmpedia]—A wiki-based site dedicated to high quality images and information on palm trees.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060105052552/http://www.fairchildgarden.org/palmguide/ Fairchild Guide to Palms]—A collection of palm images, scientific data, and horticultural information hosted by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221259/http://www.kew.org/cgi-bin/web.dbs/genlist.pl?PALMAE Kew Botanic Garden's Palm Genera list]—A list of the currently acknowledged genera by Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England (archived 2007)
* [http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/ Palm species listing with images]—Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia (PACSOA)
* [http://www.plantapalm.com Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida, Inc. (PACSOF)], which includes pages on [https://web.archive.org/web/20150924074035/http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/taxonomy/vpe_taxonomy3.htm Arecaceae taxonomy] and a [https://web.archive.org/web/20050131042030/http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/photos/vpe_photos.htm photo index].
* {{Cite journal |last=Sterken |first=Peter |date=2008 |title=The Elastic Stability of Palms |url=http://www.treeworld.info/attachments/f29/8774d1227613501-diagnostico-visual-de-arbolado-y-palmeras-psb54-4-short.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217121617/http://www.treeworld.info/attachments/f29/8774d1227613501-diagnostico-visual-de-arbolado-y-palmeras-psb54-4-short.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2008 |url-status=dead |journal=Plant Science Bulletin |volume=54 |issue=4}}
* [http://www.botanical-dermatology-database.info/BotDermFolder/PALM.html Palmaceae] in the [http://www.botanical-dermatology-database.info/index.html BoDD—Botanical Dermatology Database]

{{Taxonbar|from1=Q14080|from2=Q14848242}}

[[Category:Arecaceae| ]]
[[Category:Arecales]]
[[Category:Commelinid families]]
[[Category:Extant Campanian first appearances]]

{{Sourceattribution|Arecaceae}}