Palm trees are trees, shrubs, or vines that belong to the plant family Arecaceae and there are about 2,600 species of these beautiful plants.
This plant originates from the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and these plants are known to thrive well in moist and hot climates and they are popular in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Palm trees are perennial plants and they have a life span which is about a hundred years and this plant is considered highly important because of its usefulness.
These beautiful and lovely plants are known to always produce large, compound, evergreen leaves which are referred to as “fronds” and this gives the plant a distinct look from other plants.
Since there is a large variation in the different species of palm trees there is around the world, the palm tree, therefore, has varying characteristics and properties.
Palm trees are exquisite plants and they are generally known to have a branchless stem and the fronds are usually arranged at its top portion.
Plants that belong to the Arecaceae family can reach a height of about 200 feet and there are varieties of these plants that have been developed to grow at a miniature height and size with modern-day science.
The name of this plant “palm” has a Latin origin and it is derived from the word “palma” which means “palm of the hand” and this is a result of the resemblance of the leaves to an outstretched hand.
There are various types of palm trees that can be found around and some of these plants will be discussed in this article – just know that there are palm trees for every place.
We will also discuss more about the various benefits of this lovely plant, so if you desire to know more this is the right place for you to be.
What are the benefits of a Palm tree?
Palm trees are highly beneficial plants and every part of this tree from its leaves to wood is of great importance to people. In subsequent paragraphs, we will discuss more about the various benefits of this plant:
Source of food:
The palm tree is a very good source of food, they produce palm kernel which can be consumed raw or cooked. This tree plays a major role in the production of sugar and fermented beverages which can be used in different ways.
Production of bread:
The juice from the palm tree can be extracted and it is used in the production of bread and they help it inflate.
It can be used as roofing materials:
In some regions around the world especially small villages, the fronds of palm trees can be used for making the roof. They can help to prevent sunlight and water penetration.
There are so many benefits that are attributed to palm trees and each of them are considered to be unique
Types of Palm trees
Palm trees can be the perfect and most suitable houseplants or garden addition to have around if you know the right plant to choose and grow.
Even though we have different species of palm trees, we might not be able to discuss all but we will definitely bring to your attention the classes and types of palm trees that we have.
Below are the three major classifications of palm trees:
Indoor palms:
There are palm trees that can be grown as indoor plants because their survival is channeled towards creating a similar environment for these plants even within your home.
There are varieties of this plant that are slow-growers and do not require much maintenance and they can be conveniently grown in homes.
Container palms:
Palm trees can be grown in containers and apart from being a seed-producing tree, this plant can be used for decorating homes and they serve as a perfect exterior design.
These types of palms do not grow too tall and they have a limited height which makes them a perfect fit for those who own a small garden.
Any type of palm can be grown in containers as they can be conveniently moved from one place to another if need be.
Cold hardy palms:
There are palm trees that have the ability to survive well under very cold environmental conditions.
These plants do have the ability to tolerate harsh cold weather and even though most palm trees thrive best in warm regions there are some species that can adapt to low temperatures.
If you are choosing the right plant that you need just make sure to look for those that can thrive very well under a cold climate.
#1 Indoor palms: below are some types of indoor palms that we have:
Kentia palm:
This plant is botanically known as Howea forsteriana and it is native to Australia. This plant is a slow-growing plant that only produces one frond annually and the frond can grow to a length of one foot. This plant grows best in the presence of bright, indirect sunlight.
Areca palm:
Scientifically known as Dypsis lutescens, this plant is native to Madagascar and it has a common name butterfly palm.
This plant can reach a height of 8 feet and they are perfect plants for indoor use since they are slow-growers and won’t take too much space.
This plant needs to be watered moderately and they do have the ability to withstand a short period of drought.
Parlor palm:
If you are looking for an exceptional plant for your home then you should look into this. This plant can thrive well under almost any environmental condition and can only reach a matured height of about 2 to 4 feet.
This plant can be conveniently taken care of and can be used in almost any space possible and it is native to Mexico.
Pygmy date palm:
Phoenix roebelenii can grow to a height of about 4 – 6 feet and it is native to Southeast Asia. This plant thrives well under a condition which is the mixture of a shady and well-lightened environment.
The soil in which this plant grows should be kept moist as much as possible to enhance growth and development.
#2 Container palms: below are the various types of this plant:
Diamond palm:
This tree has a subterranean trunk and the leaves of this plant are very large. This plant thrives well in a shady environment where they are usually grown under larger trees.
This plant is native to the rainforests in Malaysia and Thailand. This plant is botanically referred to as Johannesteijsmannia altifrons.
Windmill palm:
This palm is a highly tolerant plant and it can grow very well under varying conditions and the plants do have the ability to tolerate drought once it matures.
This plant can reach a height of about 25 feet and this plant is known to be tolerant to salt and they must always be kept safe from cold conditions. This plant originates from China.
Bottle palm:
The name of this plant is derived from the appearance of this plant by having the lower part of this plant bulges out, therefore, creating a tree that has the shape of a bottle.
This tree can reach a height of about 12 feet and it is extremely slow-growing therefore making it a perfect plant for homes.
Fishtail palm:
This plant is botanically referred to as Caryota mitis and the name of this plant is derived from the shape of the leaves which looks like the fin of a fish.
The leaves of this plant take a bi-pinnate pattern and it can reach a height of about 15 to 20 feet. While growing this plant it is always important to pay attention to the structure of nature and it is native to the Southern Pacific.
#3 Cold hardy plant: below are the various types of this plant:
Chinese fan palm:
This tree is quite auspicious and they can reach a height of about 40 feet. This plant is very hardy and resistant because of its ability to resist drought.
Pindo palm:
This tree is also known as the jelly palm and it is known to have the ability to grow to a height of about 30 feet. This plant is highly resistant to temperature variation and will grow under a cool environment. And others…
Conclusion
Always make sure to pay utmost attention to the various types of palm trees and learn more about their respective meanings…
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
