Canary Island Date Palm

Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud

FEE-nix  canary-EN-sis

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Phoenix is the ancient Greek name for Date Palms (JON). This species comes from the Canary Islands.

Natural range: Canary Islands. “This species prefers deep alluvial soil with a superficial water table for most of the year. The rare places where the Phoenix canariensis can be found are at the base of "barrancos" where, even during the dry season, a small amount of water is always present in the soil.” (Quote from “Canary Islands Flora” http://www.canaryislandflora.com/index.htm)        

Recognition: Date Palms (Phoenix) are pinnate-leaved palms with have no crownshaft; they have spines on their petioles, and the leaves are induplicate (the pleats open upwards). Phoenix canariensis has a thick trunk (to 4’); its leaves are green (not blue-green) with some of them oriented downward; it does not sucker at the base; and the stones in its golden fruits are round. The leaf scars on the trunk form a diamond pattern. Silver Date Palm or Wild Date Palm, Phoenix sylvestris (separate page) is similar but faster-growing, thinner-trunked (with the trunk broadening toward the base), glaucous-leaved, and retains the broken leaf bases on its trunk. The stones from its fruits are elongate. Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera (separate page) has a more slender trunk with basal suckers; its leaves tend to be blue-green with a distinctive upswept orientation; the stones in the fruit are elongate. Senegal Date Palm, Phoenix reclinata (separate page) is generally smaller (25’-30’ MEE) and strongly clumping with the trunks rising at varied angles and often curved. The leaf scars are broad. Pygmy Date Palm, Phoenix roebelenii (separate page), is the mini-palm (10’ MEE)  in front of most South Florida residences. These are single-trunked (or few-trunked) and have narrow, raised, peglike leaf bases. This species hybridizes with Senegal Date Palm so that many of the “roebelenii” specimens in South Florida are of mixed parentage, this accounting for intermediate specimens. The less-cultivated Cliff Date Palm, Phoenix rupicola T. Anders., has comparatively soft leaves, and these are twisted.

Landscape uses (P. canariensis): A popular slow-growing palm. This species is large and stately, often used in rows and clusters in large areas, such as entrances to subdivisions, or lawn areas in malls, campuses, and other public spaces. Canary Island Date Palm is at home in dry settings and does not tolerate sogginess. Many (most) specimens in South Florida show some degree of magnesium deficiency. MEE notes frequent hybridization with other Phoenix species. RI2 makes an emphatic point against over-pruning to expose the bulb below the crown. Germination in 2-3 months (ELL).