Key to the Families
Leaves fan-shaped; branches of inflorescence subtended by spathes.
Family Sabalaceae, p. [529].
Leaves feather-shaped; spathes few, not subtending the branches of the inflorescence.
Leaf-divisions v-shaped in section, concave above; trunk rough with leaf-bases or prominent diamond shaped scars.
Family Phoenicaceae, p. [528].
Leaf-divisions inverted v-shaped in section, convex above; trunk smooth or the leaf-scars ring-like and not prominent.
Leaf-bases long-sheathing, green and fleshy, finally split down the side opposite the midrib permitting the leaf to fall; fruits with fleshy, fibrous or woody endocarps.
Family Arecaceae, p. [546].
Leaf-bases sheathing only while young, with maturity separating, except at the midrib, into a dry fibrous network which must tear or decay before the leaves fall; fruits with a stony endocarp perforated by three foramina.
Family Cocaceae, p. [558].