Palm trees are great plants. Its easy cultivation and maintenance, in addition to its high ornamental value, contribute to the garden an exotic touchtropical, even in areas where the climate is cold.
But What is a palm tree? And what types are there? We are going to tell you about all this below.
Meaning of the word ‘palm tree’
When we talk about these plants, we are referring to those that are monocotsthat is, they only have one cotyledon in their embryo. But not only that, but unlike dicotyledons (an example of this type of plant would be trees, for example), in the stem we will not find secondary wood, so they do not really have a ‘true’ trunk. In addition, if they were pruned below the bud (which is where the leaves sprout), we would lose them … in most cases.
There are around 3 species of palm trees, distributed throughout much of the globe. The regions with the most diversity are undoubtedly tropical and subtropical, but we will find some that support frost very well, such as Trachycarpus fortunei (up to -15ºC), the Nannorhops ritchiana (up to 20ºC) or the Raphydophyllum hystrix (up to -23ºC).
Types of palm trees
The palm family, Arecaceae, it is very diverse. There are species that have a trunk, there are others that do not; There are climbers, and there are also some that grow up to 30m, as if it wanted to touch the sky with its leaves (like those of the Ceroxylon genus). Its leaves, in addition, can be pinnate (like those of the phoenix canariensis) or webbed (like those of the Robust Washingtonia).
Depending on your place of origin, as well as your location and care, palm trees adapt. When, for example, a specimen is more and more exposed to the sun, we will see that its leaves become more rigid; On the other hand, if we have it in the shade, it will be softer, more ‘soft’.
Its adaptability is remarkableTherefore, it is increasingly common for us to find them in gardens. And you, do you have any?
