THE MONOCOTYLEDONES 2047 



petiole often extends downwards into a fibrous sheath, surrounding the 

 stem. 



The flowers (Fig. 1986) are small, actinomorphic and either herma- 

 phrodite or dioecious. They are grouped in panicles, frequently furnished 

 with a large spathe-like bract. The perianth is usually double and encloses 

 six stamens. The ovary is superior and composed of free or united carpels. 

 There is one ovule in each loculus. The fruit is a berry or a drupe and the 

 seeds are endospermic. 



The Palmales contain the single family Palmaceae, or as it was formerly 

 called, the Palmae. Owing to the wide distribution of the family in tropical 

 and warm temperate regions and the number of species which are of 

 economic importance, this family requires consideration in some detail. 



Palmaceae 



The family of the Palms is perhaps the most conspicuous of all in 

 tropical and subtropical climates. Not only are they of great stature and of 

 stately appearance but they are of outstanding economic importance as 

 crop plants. The Date Palm, the Oil Palm and the Coconut Palm are 

 obvious examples, which play a large part in the lives of millions of human 

 beings. The Coconut Palm is one of the most widespread and distinctive 

 of tropical trees and its gracefully curved stems, with their balanced crowns 

 of waving leaves, provide a decorative element in every tropical scene. 

 One or two species of Palms are hardy but only the Xikau Palm [Rhopalo- 

 stylis sapida), in New Zealand, really extends far into temperate regions, 

 reaching 47" S. Latitude. 



Palms are light-demanding trees and, contrary to general belief, they 

 are not conspicuous in the jungle, except near the fringes or where openings 

 occur. They prefer a hot and moist environment and some are even semi- 

 aquatic, but a few, such as Hyphaene thebaica, in North Africa, have become 

 xerophytic. A few, likewise, e.g.. Calamus, are climbers. 



The plants are usually trees, generally with unbranched stems, 



Fig. 1987. — Raphia ruffia. Diagram of t\vo 

 male flowers, that on the right being the 

 lower. Flowers enclosed in sheathing 

 bract and bracteoles, coloured black. 

 Each flower has the formula K3, C3, A6. 

 (After Drtide.) 



