Clumping vs. clustering palms

[PalmatierMeg]

When I research palms sometimes a description reads "clumping palm", other times "clustering palm". Is there a difference between these two descriptions, and, if so, what is it? Or does the writer of a particular description vary terminology just to keep things interesting or confusing? If there is a difference will a palm expert please specify? Inquiring minds like mine want to know.

[MattyB]

They are synonymous Meg.

[Kathryn]

I don't think there is a difference, but I could be wrong. Some "clumping" palms can be separated and survive and others can't. I sometimes wondered if this was the difference between the terms.

[Trópico]

This is solely based on my observations. I am no expert, but it sparks my interest:

1. Some palms "split" in half to form suckers (i.e. Chamaedorea cataractum)

2. Some will reveal a small sucker after shedding an old leaf (i.e. Cyrtostachys sp)

3. Some will send an underground runner to form a sucker (i.e. Rhapis excelsa)

If there are any other suckering modes, can someone complete the list?

[DoomsDave]

I like tropico's answer the best, but, there appears to be no scientific opinion about any differences.

D. Hodel, in "Chamadorea Palms" refers to all clustering palms as "cespitose" whether they pup, like C. seifritzii or split, like C. cataractarum.

Drs. Henk and Beentje, in "Palms of Madagascar," call all clustering palms -- "clustering palms", the same, for example for puppers like D. liutescens, or splitters, like D. baronii.

[Kris]

Nice topic and even i have this doubt for a long time ?

[Pivi]

should be the same

Clump - a clustered mass

http://www.google.com/dictionary?aq=f&...clump&hl=en