1 An epigenetic approach for the determinism of the “mantled” somaclonal variation in oil palm Alain RIVAL CIRAD The French Research Centre for Agricultural Research for Development Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement Montpellier, France France#Thailand Egide Seminar, Montpellier, France. Oct 2 nd , 2008  A giant perennial grass: Monocotyledoneous, Arecaceae (Palmaceae) Coconut palm, date palm, rattan, edible palms,..  Two cultivated species : • Elaeis guineensis • Elaeis oleifera (enriched in unsaturated FAs) • Interspecific hybrid The oil palm France-Thailand Egide Seminar, 2008/09/29-2008/10/02, Montpellier, France.