| Phoenix reclinata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Auckland, New Zealand | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Phoenix |
| Species: | P. reclinata |
| Binomial name | |
| Phoenix reclinata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Phoenix reclinata (reclinata - Latin, reclining), thewild date palm orSenegal date palm,[3] is aspecies offlowering plant in thepalm family native to tropical Africa, theArabian Peninsula andMadagascar. It is introduced inFlorida,Puerto Rico,Bermuda,Trinidad and Tobago, theLeeward Islands,Tunisia andVietnam.[2] The plants are found from sea level to 3000 m, in rain forest clearings, monsoonal forests and rocky mountainsides.
Phoenix reclinata is adioecious clumping palm, producing multiple stems from 7.5 to 15 m in height and 30 cm in width.Foliage ispinnate and recurved, growing 2.5 to 4.5 m in length and 0.75 m in width. Leaf color is bright to deep green on 30 cmpetioles with long, sharp spines at the base, with 20 to 40 leaves per crown.
The plants are unisexual and florets appear at the top of the palm stem. Male florets are a dirty, pale yellow and fall off after blooming; females are small, globose and yellow-green.[4] This species grows edible, oblongfruit, orange in color (when ripe), at 2.5 cm in diameter. The fruit are borne in large, pendant clusters and contain one seed each.[4]
Palms across the genusPhoenix readily hybridize with one another resulting in naturally occurring variations. They usually tolerate salt-spray, and moderate drought where thewater table is permanently high.[4]
In addition to the fruit, which attracts animals, including humans, thepalm heart can be eaten as a vegetable. InKwaZulu-Natal, and theOkavango Delta, Botswana, the sap is tapped shortly before flowering to makepalm wine. The fibres of young, unopened leaves can be used to make carpets, kilts and brooms. The roots containtannin and can be used to make a brown dye. They also produce an edible gum. The wood is lightweight and not particularly useful.[4]
