Name That Family (either name will do)
The Arecidae
Family Overview - Arecales

 


Diversity:  Mostly arborescent with some 'woody' vines and shrubs.  The family includes about 200 genera and 3,000 species including many of economic importance in the tropics (betel nut - Areca, oil palm - Elaeis, coconut - Cocos, date palm - Phoenix).
Distribution:  Worldwide and centered in the tropics and subtropics. We have  the single genus Sabal with two species in Texas..
Floral structure:

Significant features:    The flowers are small, sometimes imperfect, and clustered into large, paniculate inflorescences that are usually subtended by a large foliar bract known as a spathe.  The most common fruit type is a drupe.

Return to the Botany 301 homepage