Palm

Palm trees

Description

A common name for over 2000 species of tropical evergreen trees from the Palmaceae group. Palm trees typically have a single unbranched trunk topped with fronds. Palms are an important source of oil and food, i.e. coconut, date, sago, etc. Fibers from the leaves of the palm trees are used for baskets, mats, and cords. The areca nuts from betel palms (Areca catechu) have also been used as food as well as to produce a tan/orange/brown dye.

• See also [Uemera Dye Archive (Binrōji)]

Synonyms and Related Terms

Palmaceae; palm tree; Palme-familien (Dan.); Palmengewächse (Deut.); Palmera (Esp.); Arécacées (Fr.); palmiers (Fr.); palma (It.); Palmenfamilie (Ned.); Palmbomen (Ned.); Arekowate (Pol.); palmowate(Pol.); Palmeira (Port.)

Additional Images

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  Jain manuscript on palm leaf, MFA# 30.1.1-229

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  Palm leaf fan
  MFA# 1976.488]

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  Palm frond

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  Silk dyed with first extract of boiled nuts
  Uemera Dye Archive

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecaceae (Accessed Jan. 25, 2006)