272 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY 



characteristic tropical and subtropical plants, they are such 

 well-known, beautiful, and useful forms as to deserve promi- 

 nent mention. The habit of the body is very familiar, 



FIG. 269. A common fan-palm. 



being a conspicuous feature in every tropical landscape. 

 The usually tall, unbranched, columnar trunk bears at its 

 summit a crown of huge leaves, which are of either the 

 pinnate or the palmate type. Besides these palms, there are 

 low forms and branching forms, while the rattan palms 



