Pantropical with a few in the warm temperate regions. Coconuts, dates, oil and sago, from which a nutritious flour is made, are all produced by various taxa. Some species of grubs which are always found in association with the hearts of the inner stem are considered a delicacy when found by many native South American groups. The betel nut, which is chewed by many in Africa and South East Asia as a stimulant also comes from a palm species. The family is unique as a monocot in that it has an arborescent habit, or is able to reach great heights without the production of true secondary growth or ' wood', as well as having large distinctively 'palmate' leaves.
Hypanthium sometimes present.
Inflorescences are of many flowers and of various types. Fruit a berry or drupe. Seeds with a small plumule and a radicle. Placentation is variously axile, basal or parietal. Habit is as shrubs, lianas or trees with and unbranched trunk or stem.