Summer, sun and palm trees – for many these three terms are inseparably linked. Palm trees were already thriving 70 million years ago, in the Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs still populated the earth. With over 200 genera and over 2,500 palm species, these plants are among the most widespread plants today. Their representatives impress, among other things, with the world's largest plant leaf, the largest seeds and the longest inflorescence.
What are the main characteristics and properties of palm trees?
Palm trees are seed plants from the palm family (Arecaceae) with over 200 genera and 2500 species. Typical characteristics are the crest-like growth, feathery or fanned leaves, inconspicuous flowers and fruits of different sizes. Palm trees come from tropical and subtropical areas and prefer sunny or semi-shady locations.
The most important facts:
- Plant family: Palm family (Arecaceae)
- Supersection: Seed Plants
- Department: Angiosperms
- Classes: Monocots
- Subclass: Commelina-like (Commelinidae)
- Order: Palmate
- Origin: Tropical and subtropical areas.
- Growth height: Small, medium or large.
- Foliage: Feathery or fanned.
- Flowers: Often quite inconspicuous and of separate sexes. But there are also species with male and female palms.
- Flowering time: Palm trees can bloom several times or even just once in their life.
- Fruits: drupes or berries, more rarely closing fruits.
- Propagation: By seeds, shoots or side shoots.
- Location: Sunny, in light partial shade or shady.
- Soil: Most palm trees prefer slightly acidic, well-drained substrates.
- Special features: The trunk lacks kabium, so palm trees have no secondary growth. For this reason they are not counted as trees.
Palm trees don't branch
The survival artists have developed in a fascinating variety throughout their long history. For this reason, it is quite difficult to classify palm trees in a short profile. Typical of the palm family and common to all palm trees is the crest-like growth, as the leaves grow out of the tip of the trunk (palm heart). This creates the characteristic palm shape, which makes these plants so special.
The palm leaves
The leaves of the feather palms resemble feathers while fan palms, cut less deeply, are reminiscent of a beautifully shaped fan. They always consist of the base of the leaf, the stem and the leaf blade. As they get older, the leaves dry out and usually fall off on their own. Scars appear on the trunk, which give the palm tree its distinctive appearance.
Flowers and fruits
Some palm trees bloom after just a few years, other varieties take almost a hundred years until they bloom for the first time. What all palm trees have in common is that they form inflorescences made up of many individual flowers. Almost all palm trees bloom regularly. Species that have a terminal flower at the top of the plant only flower once and then die.
The fruits can be a few millimeters in size or, as with Corypha umbraculifera, reach a length of half a meter and a weight of up to thirty kilograms.
Tip
Palm trees rarely bloom in the room. Since the inconspicuous flowers cost the plant a lot of energy, it is recommended to cut off the inflorescences if necessary.
