Characteristics of Palm Trees

Comments () | | Text size: a A | Report Abuse | Print

Share: | Email |

Overview

The scientific name for palm trees is Arecaceae. They are found in USDA zones 8-10, and they are a tropical evergreen having a single trunk with tufts of foliage at the top of the trunk. Over 2,500 species of palm trees exist.

History

Palm trees existed over 80 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period. Two groups of palm trees evolved with different shaped leaves--feather, and fan-shaped.

Trunk

The trunk can be smooth or it can have definitive scars, which mark where leaves were positioned before falling off the tree. The inside of the trunk is no different than other tree trunks.

Leaves

The leaves of the palm tree grow out from the top of the trunk, and form the crown of the tree. The tops of the leaves eventually decay, and fall from the tree.

Flowers

The flowers of the palm tree are in most cases very small and green in color. Flowering habits vary according to the species of palm tree.

Fruit

The size of the fruit varies according to the species of palm tree. Some species have fleshy exteriors (date), and others have hard exteriors (coconut).

References

Sun Palm Trees: Palm Tree

Keywords: characteristics palm tree, history leaves stem, fruit fleshy hard stone

About this Author

Paula M. Ezop’s inspirational columns "Following the Spiritual Soul" appeared in Oconee Today, a Scripps Howard publication. She has published her first book, "SPIRITUALITY for Mommies." "From Death to Living in the Light" and "Spiritual Intelligence" will be released by Eglomerate.com. Ezop has a BA degree from Northeastern Illinois University and has been writing for 10 years.