Palm Trees – Characteristics and Varieties – Ever imagined a beach without the beautiful palm tree? For sure, the answer must be a no. That is because they grow naturally in such regions. That is the reason which makes this tree a great landscaping option as well. It adds to the beauty of the garden. Not just this, when planted by the roadside, it provides shade to the travelers traversing on foot in a hot, sunny region.
Characteristics & Varieties of Palm Tree
The Palm trees need little effort to grow. Owing to their flourishing nature, this plant also finds mention in the Bible as well the Quran and is treated as a sacred tree. The Palm, biologically known as Palmae or Arecaceae has more than two thousand species. So, here are a few characteristics to help you identify a true palm tree:
- This plant grows best in the tropical areas though some varieties can even grow in dry regions adding moisture to the soil. However, the palm tree cannot withstand very cold temperatures or frost. It weakens their resilience making them susceptible to insects and infections.
- The height of the palm tree may range from less than a meter to even up to sixty meters high. Based on the variety, the height can be used to determine the age of the plant.
- The palm trees can be broadly divided into two types by the shape of their leaves – pinnate or palmate. The pinnate varieties have feather-shaped leaves while the palate grows fan-shaped ones which are equidistant. The other shapes of the palm leaves are bipinnate, costapalmate, bifid and simple.
- The stem of the palm is in the shape of a single cylinder and is mostly branchless, sometimes smooth or maybe rough in the case of old branch remnants on the surface. Though not very common, some palms also have clustered stems at the top or no stems at all.
- Some species of the plant have unisexual flowers which pollinate naturally via wind or insects.
- The endosperm of the seed can either be a solid mass like in the case of dates or soft and fleshy like the coconut.
- The products obtained directly or indirectly from the palm tree include the dates, betel, palm oil, coconut and its products, palm syrup, wax, cane and palm wood to name a few.
Of the many species of this plant, some of the common ones are as follows:
- Betel palm
- Areca Palm
- Chamaedorea Palm
- Foxtail Palm
- Golden palm
- Kentia Palm
- Latina Palm
- Phonix Palm
- Raphis Palm
- Rexona palm
- Royal Palm
- Shampain Palm
- Triangular Palm
- Washingtonia Palm
- Zami Palm
- Cabbage Palm
- Cane Palm
- But Palm
- Coco Palm
- Bottle Palm
- Silver Date Palm
- Silver Thatch Palm
So, now that you know the palm tree well enough let it magnify your garden and give it the touch of the tropical islands transporting you to greenery and the feel of a relaxed vacation!
