Palms are highly ornamental, decorative evergreens, much prized in the juvenile state in greenhouses and extensively planted for full stature in tropical and warm-temperature regions around the globe, many of them yielding economic products of great importance.

Palms are mostly tree-like, but some of them are extensive climbers and others are bushes. The flowers are small, but commonly numerous, bisexual or unisexual, borne on a simple or usually branching spadex or inflorescence that is mostly contained in or subtended by a simple or multiple spathe. The fruit is exceedingly various, from nuts small or large, drupes berry-like, and dry seed like bodies.

To the general observer and the horticulturist the palms fall into two groups (1) the fan-leaved or palmate kinds, (2) the feather-leaved or plumose in which the veining or the division is pinnate on either side a continuing rachis.

Most palms grow readily from seed, in a mild heat under glass. They will germinate in 2 to 6 months in a moist, 70° temperature. In general, they are easy to manage as pot subject and when they become too large for the inside they can be transplanted to the outside in warm climates. Best results are obtained when sown in Park's Grow Mix. The young seedlings of most kinds thrive in a night temperature of about 60°F. or a little under, and 10 to 20 degrees higher in the day.

Palms require good soil and at least during the growing season, plenty of water, to produce their full verdure.