Palms For California

Pronunciation: FEE-nix reh-clin-AH-tuh

Common Name: Senegal Date Palm; Wild Date Palm

Phoenix reclinata is one of the more common palms grown in California, due in part to it's being fairly available, but also because large, mature specimens are excellent landscape palms, actually worth enough money to be sold and transplanted (a rarity in the palm world in this state). However, as with most Phoenix, hybrids abound and this species can be seen as a very variable palm because of that. Some have stated that a pure Phoenix reclinata, as is found in its native Africa, is actually an extremely rare palm in California and that most of what are identified as such, actually have some other species complicating their genetics and appearance. Below's descriptions and photos will be of palms that are MOSTLY Phoenix reclinata in that case.

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with crowns of 15-25 feather leaves Height: 40' Trunk: multiple; 10"-12" thick; either covered irregularly with leaf scars, or with retained, un-split leaf bases and some fibrous weave Crownshaft: none Spread: 10'-25'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; often with a 90 degree twist; markedly arching; up to 14' long; heavily armed near the base with modified leaves that are long, pungent spines; bright to medium green; rachis yellow-green; NOTE: leaves that are plumose are felt to all be hybrid species Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; pale green to yellow-green; un-split leaf bases retained on trunk for many years Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: 2'-3' long; from within leaves; arching; peduncles yellow-orange Fruit: ovoid; 3/4" long; yellow-orange when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 23F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: very good Cool Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: moderate Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: very spiny leaf bases, and leaflets somewhat spiny, too Disease or Horticultural Problems: none in California Transplants?: moderately tolerant Indoor?: unlikely to be a good choice Availability: fairly common

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  San Diego county, California

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  San Diego county

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  Huntington gardens near Pasadena, California

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  Disneyland, California

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  Orange County, California

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  Sherman Gardens, Orange county, California

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  San Barbara, California

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  Los Angeles arboretum, Arcadia, California

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  unripe fruits