Calamus stems can reach 200 metres (656 ft) in length. The Corypha species have the largest inflorescence of any plant, up to 7.5 metres (25 ft) tall and containing millions of small flowers. Raffia palms ( Raphia spp.) have the largest leaves of any plant, up to 25 metres (82 ft) long and 3 metres (10 ft) wide. The coco de mer ( Lodoicea maldivica) has the largest seeds of any plant, 40–50 centimetres (16–20 in) in diameter and weighing 15–30 kilograms (33–66 lb) each ( coconuts are the second largest). Ceroxylon quindiuense, Colombia's national tree, is the tallest monocot in the world, reaching up to 60 metres (197 ft) tall. The Arecaceae are notable among monocots for their height and for the size of their seeds, leaves, and inflorescences. However, many palms, like some other monocots, do have secondary growth, although because it does not arise from a single vascular cambium producing xylem inwards and phloem outwards, it is often called "anomalous secondary growth". This explains the cylindrical shape of the trunk (almost constant diameter) that is often seen in palms, unlike in ring-forming trees. Like all monocots, palms do not have the ability to increase the width of a stem ( secondary growth) via the same kind of vascular cambium found in non-monocot woody plants. Sawn palm stem: Palms do not form annual tree rings. The fruit is usually a single- seeded drupe (sometimes berry-like) but some genera (e.g., Salacca) may contain two or more seeds in each fruit. The stamens generally number six, with filaments that may be separate, attached to each other, or attached to the pistil at the base. The sepals and petals usually number three each and may be distinct or joined at the base. The flowers are generally small and white, radially symmetric, and can be either uni- or bisexual. The inflorescence is a spadix or spike surrounded by one or more bracts or spathes that become woody at maturity. ![]() The leaves have a tubular sheath at the base that usually splits open on one side at maturity. Palms have large, evergreen leaves that are either palmately ('fan-leaved') or pinnately ('feather-leaved') compound and spirally arranged at the top of the stem. Palms which are usually solitary may grow in clusters and vice versa. Several palm genera have both solitary and clustering members. Exclusively sympodial genera include many of the rattans, Guihaia, and Rhapis. The new shoot, in turn, produces an axillary bud and a clustering habit results. The trunk develops an axillary bud at a leaf node, usually near the base, from which a new shoot emerges. Palms may instead grow in sparse though dense clusters. Some common palms restricted to solitary growth include Washingtonia and Roystonea. This monopodial character may be exhibited by prostrate, trunkless, and trunk-forming members. The common representation is that of a solitary shoot ending in a crown of leaves. Whether as shrubs, tree-like, or vines, palms have two methods of growth: solitary or clustered. The suffix -aceae is the feminine plural of the Latin -āceus ("resembling"). Areca is derived from Portuguese, via Malayalam അടയ്ക്ക ( aṭaykka), which is from Dravidian *aṭ-ay-kkāy ("areca nut"). The word Arecaceae is derived from the word areca with the suffix "-aceae". In many historical cultures, because of their importance as food, palms were symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility. In contemporary times, palms are also widely used in landscaping. Many common products and foods are derived from palms. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from rainforests to deserts. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. Currently, 181 genera with around 2,600 species are known, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. Those having a tree-like form are called palm trees. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. ![]() The Arecaceae is a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales. ![]() Well over 2600 species in some 202 genera
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