Lá palama aceitosa

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lá palama aceitosa
• Canary Island Date Palm
• Canary Palm
• Pineapple Palm
• Canary Island palm
• Canary date palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phoenix jubae
• Phoenix tenuis
• Phoenix vigieri
• Phoenix senegalensis
• Phoenix canariensis var. porphyrococca
• Phoenix dactylifera var. jubae
• Phoenix cycadifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Phoenix canariensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Arecales and the family Arecaceae. Ultimately, it is a member of the genus Phoenix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Phoenix canariensis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several Mediterranean regions. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Spain. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the country of Greece. The species is also distributed throughout Southeastern Europe in Italy and the island of Sicilia. Additionally, this medicinal plant is located in Northern Africa within Algeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phoenix canariensis is characterized by a broad vertical distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2600 m AMSL, with a mean elevational preference of approximately 600 m AMSL. Within its natural environment, the species can be found integrated into the canopy, where it plays a structural role in the local vegetation layers. To ensure its survival against herbivory and environmental pressures, the plant employs active defense mechanisms.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Phoenix canariensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist and thrive over many years through successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both life form classifications as a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground level, supported by a robust, woody structure that defines its long-lived stature. This perennial nature, combined with its phanerophyte life form, enables the species to maintain a stable presence in its ecological niche, investing energy into long-term structural development and survival.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phoenix canariensis is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree or palm. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structure with an erect shoot orientation, reaching a significant plant height ranging from a minimum of 8 meters to a maximum of 20 meters. The trunk is substantial, with a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 120 cm, supporting a shoot length that can extend up to 2000 cm. As a non-climbing, self-supporting species, it maintains a sturdy, woody architecture suitable for its large-scale development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

120 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height min:

8 m

Shoot length max:

2000 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phoenix canariensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic efficiency and carbon fixation processes. The plant's vegetative structure features linear leaf forms that exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 500 cm to a maximum of 700 cm. These leaves possess a specialized width profile, where the mean and minimum width are recorded at 150 cm, though the maximum width can reach 50 cm. Furthermore, the leaf structure includes the presence of leaf spines, serving as a physical physiological defense mechanism. In terms of nutrient cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen availability to support its substantial biomass and growth requirements.

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

700 cm

Leaf length min:

500 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf width max:

50 cm

Leaf width mean:

150 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phoenix canariensis is primarily characterized by its sexual processes, as the species is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals, while asexual reproduction is noted as absent. The flowering period typically begins in December and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy, yellow fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed development. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.075 cm (ranging from 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm) and a mean width of 1.2 cm (ranging from 1 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm). The seeds contained within these fruits are consistent in their physical properties, exhibiting a mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 1.056 g and a uniform seed volume of 380 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds through their digestive tracts.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

yellow

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.075 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.3 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass mean:

1.056 g

Seed volume max:

380 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phoenix canariensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include POTASSIUM, fructose, glucose, niacin, sucrose.

POTASSIUM

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

fructose

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

glucose

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

niacin

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

sucrose

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

Preparations

Phoenix canariensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Palm tree syrup, sap.

Palm tree syrup

1. Nutricion hospitalaria

Sap

1. Nutricion hospitalaria