The Palm Family of trees named the Palmae has been in existence for millions of years and known to mankind for thousands of years. It is a flowering plant with a common ancestry of a monocotyledonous plant. Monocotyledonous plants are those without "tap root". They possess "Fibrous roots." Palms are found in many parts of the world and in various habitats. However the plants exist mostly in the tropical, sub tropical, and warm temperate climates. Several species of the Palmae family grow very well in California. Palms exhibit a great deal of morphological diversity. They are able to grow in various habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to the deserts. They also flourish on tropical sea shores.
There are more than 2,500 species and about 200 genera of palms known to date. Palms have played tremendous roles in human life throughout human history. They have been cultivated as sources of food for thousands of years. The Date Palm is one of many examples of food source.
\"coconut Trees\"
Various Uses of the Palm Tree:
Food Source: The Date Palm is a great source of energy food in the Middle East and it had made the incursion further into the desert possible in the olden days. It provided food and shelter for the travelers. It could be said that the palm was revered. It is mentioned several times in the Bible and the Quran. It was very useful in the production of agricultural and domestic utensils.
The Heart of Palm or Swamp Cabbage is a vegetable harvested from the inner core and growing bud of certain palm trees. It is served as salad and called millionaire's salad because it is very expensive.
The Sago Starch comes from inside the trunk of the Sago Palm and it is the staple food of the people where the palm grows abundantly. The trees die when the sago starch and the heart of the palm are harvested.
The sap of some palm trees is tapped and fermented into wine. If the fermentation process is prolong for very long, the wine turns into vinegar. In some countries, the palm tree is a source of sugar production. The palm wine is commonly drunk in West Africa, India, the Philippines, and some South American countries.
The Coconut Tree as a source of food:
The fleshy inner part of the coconut is edible. It is dried to make copra which is used in the preparation of various delicious dishes. The juice of the young, unripe coconut is a very refreshing drink. The milk prepared from fresh coconut is also used in the preparation of many delicious dishes. The coconut and the Sago starch are both staple food in places like the Moluccas and the New Guinea. They are also of great economic value in the life of the inhabitants. The coconut shell is used abundantly in the manufacture of household utensils.
The Commercial Importance of the Coconut and Palm Trees:
The stems of the trees are used for building houses and for the manufacture of furniture.
The leaves are used for thatching roofs, weaving baskets, weaving floor mats, hats, and even used as clothing. In the olden days, they were used to symbolize victory, as during the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The mid rib of the leaves are tied together to make brooms for sweeping the floor.Today, the Palm leaves feature prominently in the Palm Sunday celebration.
The fibrous outer covering of the coconut is water resistant and it is used for the manufacture of ropes, brushes, and floor mats.
MEDICINE:
In ancient times, the red resin obtained from certain palm trees was used as medicine.
The Betel Palm or the Betel Nut Tree grows abundantly in Tropical Pacific, some parts of Asia and East Africa. The betel nut is a stimulant and when chewed, it produces intoxication. It is also addictive. It is note worthy to mention that persistent chewing is known to cause oral cancer.
The red palm oil is a useful emetic in accidental swallowing of poisonous liquid. The red palm oil and the colorless oil produced from Palm kernel are used in the manufacture of cosmetic soap. Glycerine which is a bye product of the soap is used in the manufacture of ointment and antifreeze.
FUEL and LIGHTING:
Palm oil and Palm Kernel oil predate candle and electricity as sources of light. Both oils were used in lamps. After extracting palm oil from the fruits, the remaining shaft is a good source of fuel for cooking.
JEWELRY:
The coconut shell is used for the manufacture of beads and cabochons used for making earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Palm kernels, once polished, drilled, engraved, and decorated, make very good earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Ornamental Aspect:
City Streets in some Tropical, sub Tropical and Mediterranean countries are sometime lined with Palm Trees as decorations. The coconut and the Palm Trees are synonymous with Tropical Holiday resorts. The Palmae family of trees are now kept in Botanical Gardens in various parts of the world. They are also cultivated as indoor plants for decoration. The trees are very useful and economically viable to mankind. Hence the title: "The Money Magic Palm and Coconut Trees."
The Money Magic Palm and Coconut Trees
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