Phoenix canariensis (Canary Date Palm, Canary Island Date Palm)


Botanical Information

FamilyArecaceae
GenusPhoenix
Speciescanariensis
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to the Canary Islands.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone11a - 11b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)4 - 10
Temperature (°F)40 - 50
Height18 - 20 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

LandscapeThe Phoeninx Palm is best grown on the Patio in a large pot and brought under cover in the winter, and as a street tree or garden plant.
PropagationGerminate seeds in a warm environment, they germinate quite quickly.
CultivationGrow best in full sun and a well-drained loamy soil, and it can tolerate a wide range of exposures, including deep shade, and a wide range of soil types, including sand and heavy clay. It has a unique ability to tolerate both severe drought and flooding very well, which makes them ideal to plant in housing tracts in which the soil was heavily compacted.
Notable SpecimensGlendurgan Garden, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall.
HabitatFrom sea-level up to 600 m in a range of habitats, from humid areas just below cloud forest to semi-arid areas where its presence usually indicates groundwater.
Bark/Stem DescriptionA single-trunked palm tree, pinnate palm to 20 m or more tall, 60 - 90 cm in diameter, often with a much wider base, and rounded crown of dark green feather leaves 4-6 m long. Trunk dull brown, marked with broad, diamond-shaped leaf base scars.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe species is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. Staminate inflorescence erect, yellow-green with reddish-brown tomentum when young becoming brown and coriaceous, to about 40 cm. Pistillate flowers mostly in distal half of rachillae, yellow-white, with faintly sweet scent; calyx cupule about 2.5 mm high; petals about 3 x 4 mm.
Leaf DescriptionDark green feather leaves 4-6 m long, with pinnae to 20-40 cm long closely spaced along the rachis. Phoenix canariensis has long, sharp spines at the bases of the leaves, which are formed from modified leaflets.
Fruit DescriptionInedible fruit, 5 cm long, 12 mm wide and orange in colour when ripe.The seed is typical date-shaped with rounded ends.

Photographs