Tropical Plant "Date"
Phoenix dactylifera

Characteristics - The date palm is an exotic, occasionally cultivated in the northeastern part of Brazil, for the production of fruit and in other regions, as an ornamental. It originated in the coastal regions of northern Africa, the Middle East and India. It is a dioecious palm, generally solitary, the sprouts rising on stolons are usually removed from the base, it is 15-30 m tall. Leaves pinnate, glacous, numerous, 3-5 m long with tough pinnae (leaflets), those at the base are transformed in to thorns. Inflorescences, unisexual, erect, branched, arranged among the leaves, with yellowish flowers forming in the spring. The fruiting occurs during th summer; the fruits (dates) have a dense, carnose pulp,sweet and very tasty, containing a single seed.

Uses - The fruits are consumed au naturel or dried like raisins.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds and by separating the basal sprouts for replanting.