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Canary Island Date Palm

Phoenix canariensis

Photo by joanbstanley
Published on Project Noah
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32.6386, -117.113

Field Notes

Description:

The Canary Island Date Palm tree is a suckering palm that is usually pruned to have only one trunk. Trimmed in this manner the tree will grow to heights of 100 feet. Leaflets near the base are modified into 3-4 inch spines. The yellow-orange to red fruit, called 'dates', are oblong and about 1.5 inches in length. They consist of a large pointed seed surrounded by sweet sugary flesh. Dates are formed from flowers on 4 foot inflorescences that emerge from among the leaves in spring. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Only female plants produce dates and only if a male tree is nearby. Dates are not formed in climates that are too cool.

Habitat:

The Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

Complex supports habitats as diverse as coastal marshes and uplands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, freshwater marsh, rare vernal pool wetlands, and the incredible breeding and nesting grounds for a suite of migratory and resident bird species in south San Diego Bay. These refuges help conserve the rich biological diversity and quality of life for which the region is famous.

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