Palms constitute vital species for local people’s well-being, especially in West Africa. This analytic review aims at providing an overview of West African palms flora diversity, uses, ecology, and conservation. Scientific papers related to palms in West Africa were searched on electronic databases Google Scholar, Web of Science, and general web search on Google using the names of palms occurring in West Africa. From 108 scientific articles, we extracted relevant information after a critical reading. Papers were published between 1930 and 2019 and most of the studies focused on biochemistry, ethnobotany, and population structure. We identify in the literature 25 species belonging to 12 genera, 32% of them growing in dry areas. Five growth forms were identified among West African palms species. Erect and solitary stem forms were the most representative. Concerning leaf forms, most west African palms (84%) have pinnate leaves. Sexual systems of palms were represented by monoecy, dioecy, and hermaphrody, with the predominance of monoecy (44%). The pleonanthic species are the most represented reproductive feature (76%) and only Raphia palms are hapaxanthic. As far as uses are concerned, there is a link between used parts and uses categories. According to the relative importance index, the four first palm species in West Africa, namely Borassus aethiopum Mart., Elaeis guineensis Jacq., Borassus akeassii Bayton, Ouedr. & Guinko, and Hyphaene thebaica Mart. grow in dry areas. Rattans have a low relative index value due to their non-consumed organs. Critical analysis was presented in the focus of population structure, distribution, and propagation aspects. The review highlights a research gap in carbon sequestration, phenology, and called for more research effort in semi-arid and arid areas. Such investigations would help in planning better sustainable management and conservation of palm in West Africa.

棕榈是当地人民福祉的重要物种，尤其是在西非。本分析综述旨在概述西非棕榈植物区系的多样性，用途，生态学和保护。在电子数据库Google Scholar，Web of Science和Google的常规网络搜索中搜索了与西非棕榈树相关的科学论文使用在西非出现的棕榈树的名称。经过认真阅读后，我们从108篇科学文章中提取了相关信息。论文发表于1930年至2019年之间，大多数研究都集中在生物化学，民族植物学和人口结构方面。我们在文献中确定了属于12属的25种，其中32％生长在干旱地区。在西非棕榈树种中鉴定出五种生长形式。直立和单生的茎形式最具代表性。关于叶的形态，大多数西非棕榈（84％）都具有羽状叶。雌雄同体，雌雄异体和雌雄同体代表着手掌的性系统，其中雌雄同体占多数（44％）。百日草种类是最有代表性的繁殖特征（76％），仅是Rhapia棕榈树是黄褐色的。就用途而言，用过的零件和使用类别之间存在联系。根据相对重要性指数，西非的第四个棕榈树种，即巴西紫苏市场。，油棕黄灯笼。，Borassus akeassii Bayton，Ouedr。＆Guinko ，并Hyphaene thebaica市场。在干旱地区生长。藤条由于其未消耗的器官而具有较低的相对指数值。批判性分析以人口结构，分布和传播方面为重点。该评论强调了碳固存，物候学方面的研究差距，并呼吁在半干旱和干旱地区进行更多的研究工作。这样的调查将有助于计划更好的西非棕榈的可持续管理和保护。