Palm

Of all trees, perhaps none evokes images of a lush, tropical locale like the palms. As a group, they are indeed basically tropical or subtropical—but there are always exceptions. Palms inhabit a variety of ecosystems; most live in humid forests, but others have adapted to live in areas subject to regular flooding, and a few palms thrive in hot, dry climates. The arid outliers put down roots near springs and have fronds covered with thick cuticles and waxy coatings to avoid losing precious moisture to the dry air.

Palm growth patterns range from shrubs to trees, and include a number of vining plants, such as the rattan palms Calamus spp. Depending on the species, a palm tree may have one of two types of leaves: palmate leaves are solid and grow in a bunch at the end of a stem, while feather-like pinnate leaves grow along either side of a stem.

Most palms have an undivided, single trunk that does not thicken with age. Although solid and rough in texture, the trunk does not contain xylem or bark, but fibers. Bundles of active fibers in the center that feed the new growth at the top of the tree, while clusters of hardened, dead fibers protect the outside.

The root system of a palm is grasslike and fibrous. The roots eagerly seek space, often arising beneath the bark at the base of the trunk. The vigorous network does an amazing job of keeping the tree anchored—palm trees do not have a taproot!

Early on, our ancestors learned that the palm had many uses that would make life easier. From the fruit, they could (and we still do) get food, oil, dye, and sugar. The fronds are useful for thatch roofs and cordage, and the trunk provides fuel, building materials, and a sturdy fiber that can be used to make paper or pound into cloth. In addition, the sap provides starch, sugar, and when fermented, wine. Even the wax from the surface of the leaves and trunk has had a variety of uses throughout human history.

Two of the world's most cultivated trees are palms: the coconut palm and the African oil palm. Both are primary sources of vegetable fats. The date palm has been under cultivation for over 5,000 years, and is one of the oldest managed crops.

Our 227 taxa make up the second-largest accredited palm collection in California. Furthermore, we have 32 species that are threatened or endangered, including highly endangered Carpoxylon macrosperma palms from New Hebrides and Hyophorbe lagenicaulis palms from the Mascarene Islands.

A self-guided tour brochure can be obtained at Guest Services just inside the Zoo entrance, allowing everyone to see some of our exquisite collection.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to a number of palms, as well. Gracefully waving their fronds far above the heads of the giraffes, a variety of hardy palm trees can be found in many of the Park's field habitats, providing shade—and sometimes a scratching post—for the inhabitants.

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