Arecaceae
Arecaceae Bercht. & J.Presl (nom. cons.; Palmae is an alternative conserved family name under the International Code of Nomenclature) is an accepted family in the order Arecales. The family comprises approximately 181 genera and over 2,600 species, making it the only family in the order Arecales. Molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially improved the classification of subfamilies and tribes while confirming the monophyly of the family. Palms are among the most distinctive monocotyledonous plants and constitute one of the most economically valuable groups of tropical flowering plants.
Key characteristics
- Perennial palms with solitary or clustered trunks
- Large pinnate, palmate, or fan-shaped leaves forming a terminal crown
- Leaves with broad sheathing bases
- Branched axillary inflorescences enclosed by spathes
- Small trimerous flowers
- Superior ovary
- Berry or drupe as the typical fruit
Distribution
Arecaceae is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, extending into warm temperate areas. The greatest species diversity occurs in Southeast Asia, Malesia, New Guinea, Madagascar, tropical South America, Central America, and the Pacific Islands. Palms occupy an exceptionally wide range of habitats, including tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, coastal dunes, savannas, seasonally dry forests, deserts, and montane valleys. Several species have become naturalized or cultivated worldwide because of their economic importance. In Pakistan, native palms are represented mainly by Phoenix and Nannorrhops, while numerous exotic species are cultivated as ornamentals. Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) is extensively cultivated, forming one of the country's most important fruit crops. Nannorrhops ritchiana (Mazri palm), the only indigenous fan palm of Pakistan, occurs naturally in the arid hills and valleys of.