RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FALSE DATE PALM, 251 
THE FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PALMS. 
CHARACTERS AND SYNOPTICAL KEY. 
The determination of the status of Pseudophoenix as a distinct 
family has made it possible to complete a review of the classification 
of American families of palms. This was undertaken several years 
ago, but the impracticability of assigning Pseudophoenix to any of 
the groups caused it to be put aside. The following synoptical key 
indicates the characteristic features of the different families and may 
serve as a provisional arrangement of the family groups. The key is 
arranged to permit the diagnostic characters of a family to be followed 
in each case by a definitely contrasted statement of the characters of 
the other families. As several of the families have very definite 
ecological and geographical limitations, the habitat and distribution 
are indicated in the key. When the distribution extends over more 
than one region the principal center is mentioned first. 
Some of the groups have been recognized by previous writers 
though usually only as subfamilies or tribes, but in addition to the 
Pseudophoenicaceae the last six, at the end of the key, may be con- 
sidered as new families. 
KEY TO FAMILIES. 
Fruits covered with thin, polished, retrorse scales. Gen- 
era numerous, Lepidocaryum, Raphia, Mauritia, etc. 
In coast swamps and flood lands, Brazil to Costa Rica. 
THE SCALE PALMS.............2220200e cece eee eens LEPIDOCARYACEAE. 
Fruits without scales, usually naked, but sometimes 
‘with warts, spines, or hairs. 
Leaves palmate or fan-shaped, the segments radiating 
from a thickened ligulate base. Genera numerous, 
Sabal, Inodes, Copernicia, Thrinax, Paurotis, etc. 
In swamps, forests, and deserts, North and South 
America. THE Pautmetro PALMS.................. SABALACEAE. 
Leaves pinnately veined or divided, the segments or 
pinnz inserted on a distinct midrib or rachis, not 
ligulate. 
Seedlings with creeping rootstocks as in the Sabalaceae; 
adults with massive, columnar trunks, whitened by a 
thick coat of wax. Genus Ceroxylon. On mountain 
summits in Colombia and Ecuador. THe Wax 
PALMS....... 2.2. e eee eee eee CEROXYLACEAE. 
Seedlings of columnar types without a creeping juvenile 
stage; trunks naked or only slightly waxy. 
Flowers borne on slender pedicels, staminate and bi- 
sexual in the same inflorescence. Genus Pseudo- 
phoenix. Florida Keys. Tar Fatse Dats Patms.. PSEUDOPHOENICACEAE. 
Flowers sessile or depressed in pits, of separate sexes, 
monececious or dicecious. 
