Phoenix
14 species. This is the most widespread palm genus, found from the Canary Islands, through Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to southeast Asia. It has an incredibly wide range of growth requirements, with species found in deserts, mountain cliffs, rainforests, mangrove habitats, and the margins of tropical streams. Phoenix dactylifera, the date palm, is known from writing and artwork dated to 2500 B.C. and is one of the most important plants in recorded human history. All species of the genus are attractive, and most have been grown in cultivation. Many grow well in South Florida. Our summer weather is too humid for production of edible dates, but Phoenix dactylifera makes a handsome specimen tree in our growing conditions. Phoenix reclinata should not be planted because it is invasive in our mangrove habitats. All species of Phoenix have hard, sharp spines at the base of the leaves, which can be dangerous in a garden setting. The spines have been known to penetrate leather gloves and the soles of shoes.
Canary Island date palm (=P. canariensis); Cliff date palm (=P. rupicola); Date palm (=P. dactylifera); Dwarf date palm (=P. roebelenii); Mangrove date palm (=P. paludosa); Miniature Date Palm (=P. roebelenii); Pygmy date palm (=P. roebelenii); Senegal date palm (=P. reclinata); Siamese date palm (=P. paludosa); Silver date palm (=P. sylvestris); Sugar date palm (=P. sylvestris); Wild date palm (=P. reclinata)
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65 images
65 plants 
70 Herbarium sheets
11 DNA samples
