The study of the palm leaf base has consequences that relate to overall development of the crown and the function of the crown as a whole, especially in relation to wind resistance. Palms provide a supreme example of the phenomenon of “giantism”, which is exhibited by many groups of tropical organisms. The distinctive features of the leaf sheath are related to this process, but palms exhibit such a range of adult sizes and occupy such a diversity of habitats that there is considerable scope for comparative study.