Facts on Palm Trees

People often associate palm trees with some of their favorite vacation destinations: sunny oceanside resorts and tropical locales. And while that characterization is very much true, palm trees are much more versatile. They are a mainstay of landscaping displays in the appropriate climates, and they can even be grown in pots in people's yards. Some cultures even depend on palm trees as a food source.

Where They Grow

Palm trees are mainly grown in tropical and subtropical climates, but they have been known to grow in cooler climates, including in Canada. They grow in several environments, including rain forests, mountain ranges and desert oases.

Fruit

Some palm trees species bear coconut, and other varieties produce less popular fruits, including the betel nut. Oil can also be extracted from palm trees.

Species

There are more than 2,000 known species of the palm tree, but only a few are native to the United States. Those grow mainly in Florida and California, but they can be grown farther north.

Leaf Shape

Palm trees have either one of two leaf shapes. Trees with feather-shaped leaves fall into the pinnate category, and trees with fan-shaped leaves fall into the palmate category.

In the Bible

There are numerous references to palm trees in the Bible, and Christians today still use palms for their Palm Sunday ceremonies.