We are investigating the molecular mechanisms of cold-hardiness in our palms using proteomics. We're looking at protein expression among varieties/species of palms with different levels of cold tolerance, and comparing protein expression in the same species of palm under various cold stress conditions. Identifying factors involved with cold tolerance in palms should allow the production of cold-hardy palm strains able to grow in areas where palms could not be cultivated before, and would help provide new understanding of the mechanisms of cold hardiness in plants in general. In addtion to possible range extension of horticulturally interesting palms there is the possiblitie of range extenion of economically important palms such as coconut, american and african oil palms, date palms, and wax producing palms.