The palm trees (Arecaceae) are among the most useful plants in the agricultural economy of the countries located on tropical areas.

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USE OF PALM TREES

 

 

• food use: palm oil, dates, coconut, copra, sugar, palm wine, sago starch (Palm heart),…

• therapeutic use: Arec nut, dragon blood

• industrial use: palm wax, textile fibers (raphia, rônier, vegetable hair), rattan for basketry, vegetable ivory

• ornamental use: parks and gardens, avenues, inhouses decorative plants (kentia)

• medical use: for example, the berries of Serenoa used (industrially) to fight against the prostatic adenoma

• construction: in many countries (Polynesia, Panama, Thailand, Philippines, New Guinea, Indonesia, Amazonia), palms    serve as building material.

 

All parts of the plant are used in a variety of ways. Fruits, coconuts or dates have been part of the staple foods of people living in the tropics for thousands of years. With the "wood" of the stipes, floors and walls are made, and with the leaves the roofs of houses are made.