Tribal Roots Finder

Had this tree not existed, the expansion of the human race out of Africa into parts of the “old” world would have been much more restricted. It provided a concentrated energy food which could be easily stored and carried on long journeys across the deserts. Some 13 countries around the world call it their “national tree”…

The Palm is among the most well-known and cultivated plant families and created a portable food source as well as a more amenable habitat for the people to live in by providing shade and protection from the desert wind. (Source: W.H. Barreveld)

Palm trees first appeared in the fossil record some 80 million years ago and are abundant throughout tropical regions around the world today. Nearly all parts of the palm are useful, providing a source of food, oils, wax, medicines and rattan cane used in furniture and baskets. This versatility makes the palm one of the world’s most economically important plants.

Human use of palms is as old as human civilization itself, starting with the cultivation of the Date Palm by Mesopotamians and other Middle Eastern peoples 5000 years or more ago. An indication of the importance of Palms is that they are mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible, and at least 22 times in the Quran.

Palms inhabit a variety of habitats, from rainforests to deserts. Only 130 palm species grow naturally beyond the tropics, but have been known to grow as far north as Ireland. Madagascar has more endemic palms than the entire continental Africa. Colombia may have the highest number of palm species in one country.

The palm branch has long been a symbol of triumph and victory. Romans rewarded champions and celebrated military successes with palm branches. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul. In Judaism, the palm represents peace and plenty, and may symbolize the Tree of life in Kabbalah. Today, the palm, especially the Coconut, remains a symbol of the tropical island paradise; its name in Sanskrit translates as “the tree which provides all the necessities of life.”

Like many other plants, palms have been threatened by human exploitation. The greatest risk is destruction of habitat, especially in the tropical forests, due to urbanization and conversion to farmland. The harvesting of heart of palm, a delicacy in salads, also poses a threat because it is derived from the inner core of the plant and thus harvesting kills the plant. At least 100 palm species are currently endangered, and nine species have reportedly recently become extinct.

A species of palm tree is the national tree to many countries, including Algeria, Angola, Cambodia, Colombia, Gambia, Libya, the Maldives, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu.