This large genus of palms is widely grown. In the wild, they are mostly understorey plants and are small and slender. Some have single stems, others form in clumps. In most, the stems are ringed in segments like bamboo. On female plants the small yellow flowers are sometimes followed by smooth black or red fruit.
How to grow:
These palms grow well indoors, though clump-forming ones will need larger containers. Keep them out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Outdoors they need well-drained, friable acid soil and a cool root run. Plants of both sexes are needed for fruit. Propagate by seed which will germinate in six to eight weeks in warm conditions. Clump-forming species can be propagated by division
