Phoenix canariensis

Phoenix canariensis, the Canary Island date palm, is a species of flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae, native to the Canary Islands off the coast of Northwestern Africa. It is a relative of Phoenix dactylifera, the true date palm. It is the natural symbol of the Canary Islands, together with the canary Serinus canaria.

Description

A large palm. It has a single, stout woody trunk. It grows to 20 m tall. The trunk can be 70 cm across. There is a diamond pattern of leaf scars down the trunk. The crown can have 100 leaves. The fronds are long and dull green. Leaves can be 6 m long. They are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The fronds are spiny at the base. The leaflets are directed upwards and forward. The flowering stalks are produced among the leaf bases. The flowers are creamy yellow. Male and female trees are needed for fruit. The fruit occur in large clusters. They are a golden colour. They grow among the leaves. The fruit are 2 cm long and 1 cm across.

Edible Uses

The fruit weighs around 1.7g and has an edible outer pericarp. Each fruit is orange, about 2cm long and 1cm in diameter, with a large seed. The pulp is edible when fully ripe (solid black) but is usually too thin to be worth eating; the fruit are considered a famine food. The inflorescence buds are tapped for their sweet sap, which is eaten as syrup or palm honey. This plant is recognised as a staple crop for sugar production.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are reported to have an edible outer pericarp. They are a famine food. The sap can be used for syrup or palm honey.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses are known for this plant.

Known Hazards

Spines or sharp edges

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It will tolerate hot dry conditions in inland Australia. It is very frost hardy and thrives on poor soils. It needs good drainage. In the Canary Island it grows to 700 m altitude. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits plant hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Africa, Algeria, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Bolivia, Canada, Canary Islands*, Central America, Colombia, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mediterranean, Norfolk Is., North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia,

Cultivation

Found at elevations from sea level to 1,200m in a range of habitats, from humid areas just below cloud forest to semi-arid areas where its presence usually indicates groundwater. Cultivated in wet-winter or Mediterranean climates, but also in wet-summer or humid subtropical climates like eastern Australia and the southeastern United States. Examples in high-latitude oceanic climates, such as Ireland, the UK, and the Channel Islands. It can be cultivated where temperatures rarely fall below -10°C (14 or 10 °F). Light: Full Sun. USDA Hardiness Zone 8a: to -12.2°C (10 °F) to 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F). Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. It is very frost hardy and thrives on poor soils. It needs good drainage. Soil pH requirements: 6.1 (mildly acidic) to 7.8 (mildly alkaline). Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation). Normal height range 10–20m (33–66 ft) tall; some specimens have reached 40m (130 ft).

Propagation

Plants are grown from seed, which germinates readily and typically sprouts within one to two months. In tropical locations, suckers can also be used for propagation.

Other Uses

This is a highly ornamental tree that has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The leaflets are used in much the same way as those of Phoenix dactylifera for a range of woven products, including crosses made for Palm Sunday celebrations.

Production

Fruit weigh 1.7 g.

Notes

There are 17 Phoenix species. The seeds contain a fat.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Kanarska dateljnova palma, Palem korma kannari

References (31)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 447
• Amoros, A., et al, 2014, Physico-chemical and functional characteristics of date fruits from different Phoenix species (Arecaceae). Fruits, Vol. 69, p. 315-323
• Balick, M.J. and Beck, H.T., (Ed.), 1990, Useful palms of the World. A Synoptic Bibliography. Colombia p 662,
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 501
• Blomberry, A. & Rodd, T., 1982, Palms. An informative practical guide. Angus & Robertson. p 139

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