| Arecaceea or Palm trees are widely spread | | | | weighing more than 15 kilograms each and |
| around the tropical and subtropical zones, | | | | reaching almost half a meter in diameter. The |
| particularly since there are more than 2600 | | | | largest inflorescence can contain millions of tiny |
| species in the palm trees families. They are | | | | flowers while the highest palm tree reaches 60 |
| recognized by their large compound and their | | | | meters, their leaves are also huge, being 25 |
| specific leaves that grow at the top of the tree. | | | | meters long and 3 meters wide. |
| The physical characteristics are not a standard for | | | | The importance of palm trees is expressed in the |
| the entire tree family, as many varieties | | | | Bible where they are mentioned over thirty times, |
| distinguish themselves by other details. Palm trees | | | | even the Muslims mention them in their holy |
| grow in any hot weather habitat from the tropical | | | | books. Palm trees also grow in Europe close to |
| rain forests to desert areas. Today, when we | | | | the Mediterranean where most cities have |
| think of palms we immediately relate them to | | | | adopted them for the decorating of their touristic |
| exotic vacations, but in the past they stood for | | | | zones. There are also some hardy palms that can |
| peace and victory. | | | | endure severe temperatures like Sabal minor and |
| Palm trees are extensively cultivated, they are | | | | Trachycarpus fortunei that grow in the south of |
| used in the food industry, tourism and economy. | | | | the USA and in many cold places from Asia. In |
| Madagascar is one of the places which has more | | | | the American Independence War palms were a |
| species than the entire Africa, and Columbia | | | | valuable resource for the building of fortifications |
| occupies the second place in what the density of | | | | because the wood spongy nature reflected or |
| palms on its territory is concerned. They have | | | | absorbed the bombardments of the British |
| evergreen leaves shaped like a fan or a feather, | | | | enemy. |
| and the flowers are small and white for most | | | | In history palm trees were regarded as a symbol |
| species. The fruit is a single seeded drupe although | | | | for victory, Romans rewarded their champions |
| there are trees which have more seeds in a fruit. | | | | with palm trees, while for early Christians palms |
| Two thirds of the palm trees live in the tropical | | | | represented the victory of good over evil. These |
| forests but there are species that prefer | | | | popular trees appear on the flag of several |
| mountain regions over 1000 meters of altitude. | | | | countries and states famous for their forests and |
| They are well adapted to grasslands, desert | | | | Florida, Guam and South Carolina are just a few |
| oases and even acid soils. Palm trees have the | | | | examples. |
| larges seeds, the largest leafs and the biggest | | | | Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and |
| inflorescence in the natural world, with seeds | | | | Reporting on Trees for Years. |