Phoenix dactylifera
Date palm
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the date palm, is a versatile medicinal plant revered for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. Beyond providing energy-rich fruit, its various parts offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits. Traditionally used in diverse cultures, it serves as a vital resource for holistic wellness and nourishment.
- Scientific name: Phoenix dactylifera
- Family: Arecaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant 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, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Phoenix.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Arecales | WCVP |
| Family | Arecaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phoenix | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Phoenix dactylifera, is recognized by various names across different linguistic and cultural contexts. In Chinese, it is referred to as 椰枣 (zh), while in Polish, it is called daktylowiec właściwy (pl). In the Basque language, it is known as Datil palmondo (eu), and in Bosnian, it is termed Datula (bs). Furthermore, in Tamil, the plant is identified as பேரீச்சை (ta).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 椰枣 | Wikidata |
| pl | daktylowiec właściwy | Wikidata |
| eu | Datil palmondo | Wikidata |
| bs | Datula | Wikidata |
| ta | பேரீச்சை | Wikidata |
| hu | közönséges datolyapálma | Wikidata |
| ceb | Datilero | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok kurma | Wikidata |
| et | datlipalm | Wikidata |
| bn | খেজুর | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Phoenix dactylifera, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within Great Britain. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, the species can be found growing in Spain. Its range extends significantly into Northern Africa, where it is established in Algeria. Furthermore, this medicinal plant is widely distributed throughout the North African territories of Egypt and Libya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the date palm, utilizes various specialized parts throughout its reproductive and developmental stages. The process begins with the release of pollen, which is essential for the fertilization of the female trees. Before the development of the edible portions, the inflorescences are protected by a specialized leaf-like structure known as the spathe. Once pollination is successful, the plant produces the fruit, which is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. This specific date fruit serves as a primary source of energy and nutrients, though it contains hard seeds at its center that must be removed before consumption.- Total parts
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pollen | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| date fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spathe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pollen grains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| palm leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phoenix dactylifera has 46 reported phytochemicals identified across 64 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, sterols, anthocyanins.
- Total chemicals
- 46
- Scientific sources
- 64
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoquercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phoenix dactylifera has 13 reported activities identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Phoenix dactylifera has 36 reported medicinal uses identified across 39 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension, infertility, male infertility, Alzheimer's disease, Antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 39
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| male infertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MCF-7 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |