Date Palm Phoenix Genus, dactylifera Species, Palm Family ( Arecaceae ), Date Palm. The date palm is believed to have originated in the lands around the Persian Gulf and in ancient times was especially abundant between the Nile and Euphrates rivers. It ranged in prehistoric times from Senegal to the basin of the Indus River in northern India. There is archeological evidence of cultivation in eastern Arabia in 4,000 B.C. It was much revered and regarded as a symbol of fertility, and depicted in bas relief and on coins. Nomads planted the date at oases in the deserts and Arabs introduced it into Spain. It gets its name Phoenix from the word Phoenician, since the Phoenicians spread these plants in early times. Spanish explorers introduced the date into Mexico, around Sonora and Sinaloa, and Baja California. The palms were only seedlings. Still, the fruits had great appeal and were being exported from Baja California in 1837. The first date palms in California were seedlings planted by Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries in 1769. Potted offshoots from Egypt reached California in 1890 and numerous other introductions have been made into that state and into the drier parts of southern Arizona around Tempe and Phoenix. There are now about a quarter of a million bearing trees in California and Arizona. Height: Up to 120 ft. Flowers: Its flowers, unisexual on dioecious plants, are small, whitish, fragrant, clustered in axillary spadices up to 120 cm long markedly bent downwards by their fruit weight. Blooming Time: Southern Arizona, March - April. Phoenix Area, April - May. Fruit & Seeds: Thee fruits, commonly known as dates, are oblong berries, dark-orange when ripe, up to 50 cm long in the cultivated varieties, their flesh is sacchariferous, it contains one woody seed.. Leaves: The leaves are pinnate, up to 6 m long, upper leaves are ascending, basal leaves are recurved, the segments are coriaceous, linear, rigid and sharp pointed, blue-green in color. Found: Found throughout Arizona at lower elevations. Elevation: 0 - 1000 Feet. Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: high. Photos Taken , April 6, 2003. In Glendale.

We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!

We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!