dactylifera

Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the date palm, is a flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae. It is native to the arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa and has been cultivated for thousands of years for its sweet fruit, the date.

Description: It is a perennial palm that can reach 15–25 meters in height. The trunk is stout and often unbranched; leaves are pinnate and may exceed 4 meters. Date palms are dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Female trees produce edible fruit after pollination, typically 4–7 years after planting, in large hanging clusters.

Cultivation and propagation: Date palms require warm temperatures and long, hot summers. They tolerate drought but need irrigation and well-drained soil. They prefer full sun and either salt-tolerant soils or moderate salinity. Propagation is usually by offshoots or cloned cultivars; seed propagation is used mainly for rootstocks or breeding. Pollination is often manual in commercial operations to ensure fruit set.

Fruit and uses: Dates are edible fruits that range from soft and Medjool-like to dry and wrinkled. They are consumed fresh, dried, or processed into syrups and confections. Varieties include Deglet Noor and Medjool, among many others, with differences in size, texture, and sweetness.

Distribution, economy, and culture: The date palm is a staple crop in oases and farms across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of the Indian subcontinent and the Americas. Major producers include Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In the United States, date palms are grown in California and Arizona. Dates hold cultural significance in many regions and are widely traded.