1105.000 Beaucarnea Lem.

Trees, trunks bare, usually enlarged at base; branches apical, few. Leaves concentrated at end of branches; linear, base dilated, margins entire, or minutely serrulate, coriaceous. Inflorescence consisting of panicles, large multi-branched; flowers short-pedicellate and fasciculate in the axils of bracts; pedicels articulated below the small flowers; perianth campanulate, segments distinct. Fruit dry, trigonous, 3-winged, irregularly rupturing at maturity. Seeds trisulcate or trilobate.

Derivation of name: 9 species in Mexico and Central America.

Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon.