Arecaceae, commonly known as the palms, is a family of perennial monocotyledonous flowering plants in the order Arecales comprising 181 genera with around 2,600 known species. Growth forms range from climbers and shrubs to the familiar tree like palms and stemless plants, most distinguished by large compound evergreen fronds arranged at the top of an unbranched stem, though the genus Hyphaene branches. The family occupies habitats from rainforest to desert and includes the coconut palm.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionMost palms are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. 1 Defining CharacteristicsA family of perennial flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales, growing as climbers, shrubs, tree-like, or stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceDistinguished by large, compound, evergreen leaves called fronds arranged at the top of an unbranched stem, except in the branched genus Hyphaene. 1 Sources
1. Arecaceae (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 1 (taxonomic rank)
The Arecaceae () are a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 1 (family name)
The Arecaceae () are a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 4 (genus and species count)
Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 4 (climate range)
Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 2
Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms.
Wikipedia lead paragraph, sentence 5
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.
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