Palmae

plural noun

ˈpalˌmē,
ˈpäˌm-,
-mī
: a family (coextensive with the order Palmales) of chiefly tropical trees, shrubs, and vines comprising the palms, having a usually tall columnar trunk that lacks a cambium and is therefore incapable of true secondary growth and bears a crown of very large leaves with stout sheathing and often prickly petioles whose persistent bases often clothe the trunk, and producing small flowers in very large clusters each subtended by a spathe

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, plural of Latin palma palm

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Cite this Entry

“Palmae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Palmae. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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