Tour Stop (Tropical Trip Tour) - AccID: 17

Botanical Characteristics: Single trunks will grow up to 80-100 ft. tall. It is taller and more slender than the Canary Island date palm and the crown is sparser in appearance. Offshoots are produced next to the main trunk which lead to a multi-stemmed habit unless trimmed. The multi trunks are seldom seen because the young side shoots are usually removed to start new date orchards. The grayish-green leaves of the date palm are long and feather-shaped (pinnate). The trunk is rough and gray and reaches 18 in. in diameter. It produces yellow (female) or cream (male) flowers. Male and female flowers are on different plants and in plantations one male tree is planted for every 20 females. It produces large oblong yellow or orange fruits (dates). It does well in desert landscapes. It is hardy to 18°F.
Ethnobotany: The true date palm was one of the earliest plants to be cultivated by humans, starting approximately 6000 years ago. It has been a staple for nomadic peoples in Arabia and North Africa, producing edible fruits as well as useful fibers from the leaves. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from lands around the Persian Gulf. This is the only Phoenix which bears commercial dates – a staple food for millions in Arabia, Persia, Egypt, and other nearby countries. This palm is also often used ornamentally in formal groupings around large buildings.