Family characters of Arecaceae

1. PALMAE(ARECACEAE)

2. COMMON MEMBERS
phoenix dactylifera
cocos nucifera

3. Elaeis oleifera,

4. distribution
 Arecaceae Have Distributions Mostly In Warm, Tropical Regions And Are Often
Ecologically Important Where They Occur

5. habit
 Arecaceae consist of perennial trees, large rhizomatous herbs, or lianas
 stem is usually arborescent, consisting of a single, unbranched trunk
[dichotomously branched in Hyphaene], or a stout, dichotomously branched
rhizome (Nypa), or an elongate liana with long internodes (rattan palms)
 leaves are typically quite large, generally terminal (acrocaulis), spiral [rarely
distichous or tristichous], with a sheathing base and an elongate, stout
petiole (sometimes referred to as pseduopetiole ) between the sheath apex
and blade.
 inflorescence is typically an axillary, bracteate panicle or spike of solitary
flowers or of cyme units

6.  flowers are unisexual or bisexual, actinomorphic, sessile, and hypogynous.
 perianth is usually biseriate and monochlamydeous, 3+3 [0, 2+2, or ∞], apotepalous.
 stamens are 3+3 [3 or ∞], distinct or connate, epitepalous in some spp., staminodes
present in some spp.
 Anthers are longitudinal, rarely poricidal, in dehiscence.
 gynoecium is syncarpous or apocarpous, with a superior ovary, usually 3 [1, 2, 4 ∞]
carpels, and 3 or 1 [∞] locules. styles, if present, are distinct or connate; stigmas are
sessile or at tip of styles.
 Placentation is variable; ovules are variable in type, bitegmic, and 1 per locule. Septal
nectaries are present in some taxa.
 fruit is fleshy or fibrous, usually a drupe, rarely dehiscent, some with outer scales
(Calamoideae), hairs, prickles, or other processes.
 Seeds are usually 1 per fruit and have an oil or hemicellulose rich, sometimes ruminate,
endosperm; starch is absent.

7. Economic importance
 Palms are of great economic imporance, including uses as fruits (e.g., Cocos
nucifera, coconut palm, Phoenix dactylifera, date palm),
 furniture/canes (rattan palms),
 fibers (e.g., coir from the mesocarp of Cocos nucifera),
 oils (e.g., Elaeis oleifera, oil palm),
 starch (e.g., Metroxylon spp., sago palms),
 waxes (e.g., Copernicia cerifera, wax palm), and many species used
indigenously as timber or in building construction;
 fruits of Areca catechu, betel palm, are chewed in India (with Piper betle
leaves and lime) as a stimulant