Plant Family

Arecaceae

21 plants in database

The true canopy layer for tropical and subtropical food forests — long-lived, wind-resistant, yielding fruit, hearts, sap, and fiber across decades with minimal inputs. Saw palmetto is a southeastern US wildlife keystone, medicinal, and fire-adapted. Peach palm produces starchy protein-rich fruit and edible hearts from offshoots without killing the main plant. Most palms are single-stemmed and die if the growing tip is damaged — site carefully away from falling hazards. Coconut needs zone 10+ reliably; everything else in this family is more forgiving.