Palmaceae

9.5

A group of tropical trees and plants like coconut and date palms

noun
/pɑːlˈmeɪsiː/

Specialized

: Palmae

The Palmaceae family includes the coconut and date palm among its many members.

Examples

Many ornamental plants sold in nurseries belong to the Palmaceae family.
Researchers are studying the ecological impact of Palmaceae in tropical rainforests.
The Palmaceae family includes many species of tropical plants.
Many Palmaceae species are used for ornamental purposes.
Many ornamental plants sold in nurseries belong to the Palmaceae family.
The Palmaceae family includes the coconut and date palm among its many members.
Researchers are studying the ecological impact of Palmaceae in tropical rainforests.

Synonyms

palm family

vsPalmaceae

Specialized

1 5.8

A group of mainly tropical plants like coconut and date trees with large leaves

uses a formal botanical name instead of everyday wording

Palmae

vsPalmaceae

Specialized

1 9.9

A group of tropical plants like coconut or date palms with tall trunks and large leaves

is the same group but named in current botanical usage

Arecaceae

vsPalmaceae

Specialized

1 9.9

A group of tropical trees and shrubs that includes palm trees

is the everyday name rather than the scientific Latin label

family Palmae

vsPalmaceae

Specialized

7.4

A group of tropical trees and plants with tall trunks and big leaves like coconut and date palms

is the same group named with modern botanical terminology

Surface Forms

Palmaceae singular

Palmaceae plural

Morphology

Palmaceae = palm (semi-transparent) = palm + aceae

The base 'palm' is recognizable, but the suffix '-aceae' is a specialized botanical family marker unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Palmaceae comes from the Latin root palm, meaning 'palm tree' and also the 'palm of the hand', plus the ending -aceae that shows a plant family. So Palmaceae literally means the 'palm family', which is why it names the family of coconut, date and other palm trees.