ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL PALM SOCIETY |
Costa Rica Biennial |
The International Palm Society is the largest society of palm enthusiasts in the world. With members in over 80 countries, IPS brings together horticulturists, scientists, conservationists, commercial growers, and gardeners to share knowledge and concern for palms in habitats throughout the world and in cultivation. |
Originally founded in 1956 as the Palm Society by Dent Smith of Daytona Beach, Florida, the IPS held its first meeting at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and quickly established itself as a central voice in palm horticulture and research. The society formally adopted the name International Palm Society in 1984 to reflect its growing global reach. Read about our history and more on our Wiki page. |
What We Do |
| Publications IPS is the proud publisher of PALMS (formerly Principes), a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal that has featured some of the most important scientific writing on palm biology, taxonomy, and conservation. The journal has been the first place of publication for many new palm genera and species. Articles are published open access, offering authors global exposure for their work and supporting the sharing of knowledge around the world. In addition to PALMS, the society has co-published landmark reference works such as Genera Palmarum and The Palms of Madagascar. |
Research & Grants Since 1985, the IPS Endowment Awards have supported groundbreaking research across the globe. From palm dispersal across the Wallace Line to monographs and genetic studies, IPS grants fuel critical work that deepens our understanding of palm biodiversity. The annual Sneed Award honors projects that reflect the adventurous spirit of long-time IPS members Phyllis and Melvin Sneed. From grant recipient Dr. Roxaneh S. Khorsand, Department of Biology, University of Northern Colorado, USA. “While I was a graduate student, I had support from the IPS to study the reproductive biology of Mauritia flexuosa in the northern Brazilian Amazon. This is a tall palm, abundant in swamps, and is a critical source of food for humans and wildlife. Funding from IPS allowed me to, in part, develop necessary climbing gear to ascend these palms and study their pollination and floral biology. I completed my field work in 2011 and found that this palm, contrary to all expectations, was wind pollinated. This discovery came as a complete surprise, because for years it was thought to be pollinated by insects.” |
Roxaneh Khorsand, ascending Mauritia flexuosa in Brazil. |
Basselinia vestita seedlings in New Caledonia | Conservation IPS plays a direct role in protecting palms and their habitats. In 2020, the society launched its annual Save the Species campaign, raising awareness and funds for endangered palms in places like Madagascar, Colombia, Hawaii, and the UK. Conservation successes include the discovery and protection of Tahina spectabilis, a rare fan palm from Madagascar first spotted by an IPS member on our interactive forum, PalmTalk. |
Brazil on the Rio Negro. |
Get Involved
Lend your voice and help support our programs by becoming a member. |