There is increasing interest in industry, academia, and the health sciences in palms. Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods are derived from palms, such as edible oils, coconut products, fruit, vinegar, rattan, and soap among others. Palms are also widely used in landscaping for their exotic appearance, making them one of the most economically important plants. In many historical cultures, palms are symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, fertility, and the tropics. The listing is not exhaustive - no book can be - but will serve as the first starting point for better access to data on palms. The CRC World Dictionary of Palms will be the first comprehensive scientific treatment of palms in decades.