Phoenix canariensis Chabaud

Common name(s): Canary Island Date Palm, Pineapple Palm, Phoenix Palm

Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond

Taken by Ken Harrington

Pinna

Taken by Ken Harrington

Pinna

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Palm / Palm Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Spain

Canary Is.: Indigenous

Plant Type

Frond Self Cleaning, Palm, Palm Feather-leaved, Solitary

Frond Self Cleaning,

Palm,

Palm Feather-leaved,

Solitary

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full

Habitat Range(s)

Arid-Humid, Coastal, Forest - Littoral, Open Woodlands, Sclerophyll Forest - Dry

Arid-Humid,

Coastal,

Forest - Littoral,

Open Woodlands,

Sclerophyll Forest - Dry

Habitat Zone(s)

Coastal margins, Exposed, Exposed Stony embankments, Garden, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Hill Sides, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Plains, Ridges, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Rocky, Sandy Moist, Water sides, Well drained, Windy

Coastal margins,

Exposed,

Exposed Stony embankments,

Garden,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Hill Sides,

Landscape,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Open areas,

Plains,

Ridges,

Rivers / Creeks / Streams,

Rocky,

Sandy Moist,

Water sides,

Well drained,

Windy

Mature Height

10-15m, 15-20m, 20-25m, 25-30m

10-15m,

15-20m,

20-25m,

25-30m

Mature Width

8-9m, 9-10m, 10-15m

8-9m,

9-10m,

10-15m

Growth Rate

Slow, Moderate

Slow,

Moderate

Plant Shape

Standard Crown - Dense

Life Span

50-100yrs, 100-150yrs

50-100yrs,

100-150yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (front)

Blue-green, Green Dark

Blue-green,

Green Dark

Frond Colour(s) (back)

Green Dark

Frond Texture (front)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Stiff

Frond Texture (back)

Glabrous

Frond Length

4-4.5m, 4.5-5m, 5-5.5m, 5.5-6m

4-4.5m,

4.5-5m,

5-5.5m,

5.5-6m

Frond Width

400-500mm, 500-600mm

400-500mm,

500-600mm

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Shapes

Elliptical

Pinnate / Parapinnate

Recurved

Elliptical,

Pinnate / Parapinnate,

Recurved

Frond Arrangement

Dense Crown

Whorled

Dense Crown,

Whorled

Frond Attachment

Fibrous Sheath

Petiolate

Fibrous Sheath,

Petiolate

Pinna Shape(s) (Frondlet)

Lanceolate

Linear

Lanceolate,

Linear

Pinna Length (Frondlet)

200-250mm, 250-300mm, 300-350mm, 350-400mm

200-250mm,

250-300mm,

300-350mm,

350-400mm

Pinna Width (Frondlet)

15-20mm, 20-25mm

15-20mm,

20-25mm

Pinnae Arrangement

Even Pinnae

Spined Pinnae

Even Pinnae,

Spined Pinnae

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Entire

Acute Narrowly,

Entire

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Attenuate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Entire

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Induplicate

Pinnule Venation (Leaflet)

Parallel

Sheath Colour(s)

Red-brown

Petiole Length

800-900mm, 900mm-1m, 1-1.5m

800-900mm,

900mm-1m,

1-1.5m

Petiole Texture

Waxy

Petiole Feature(s)

Spines Basal , Spines-Long

Spines Basal,

Spines-Long

Trunk / Stem Properties

Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)

Brown, Grey-brown

Brown,

Grey-brown

Colour(s) (Base)

Brown, Grey-brown

Brown,

Grey-brown

Texture (Upper)

Coarse , Corky , Fibrous

Coarse,

Corky,

Fibrous

Texture (Base)

Rough / Scabrous

Corky

Cross Section

Terete

Diameter

600-700mm, 700-800mm, 800-900mm

600-700mm,

700-800mm,

800-900mm

Length

14-15m, 15-16m

14-15m,

15-16m

Features

Leaf Base Scars

Construction

Pith Continuous

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Male

Flowering Time (start)

Spring Early

Flowering Time (end)

Spring Late

Colour(s)

Yellow-green

Flower Shape(s)

Male Staminate Flower

Erect

Flower Size(s) Length

1.5-2mm

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Interfoliar Long

Pannicle

Axillary, Interfoliar Long,

Pannicle

Pendulous

Arrangement Size(s)

500-600mm, 600-700mm, 700-800mm

500-600mm,

600-700mm,

700-800mm

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects

Bees,

Insects

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Separate Plant

Gender: Female

Flowering Time (start)

Spring Early

Flowering Time (end)

Spring Late

Colour(s)

Yellow-green

Flower Shape(s)

Female or Pistillate Flower

Pendulous

Flower Size(s) Length

1.5-2mm

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Interfoliar Long

Pannicle

Axillary, Interfoliar Long,

Pannicle

Pendulous

Arrangement Size(s)

500-600mm, 600-700mm, 700-800mm

500-600mm,

600-700mm,

700-800mm

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects

Bees,

Insects

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Separate Plant

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Drupe

Shape(s)

Obovoid

Ovoid

Obovoid,

Ovoid

Outer Colour(s)

Orange, Orange Dark, Yellow, Yellow-orange

Orange,

Orange Dark,

Yellow,

Yellow-orange

Outer Texture

Waxy

Fleshy , Thin

Fleshy,

Thin

Length

15-20mm

Aroma

None

Seed Properties

Type

Nutlet

Colour

Brown-grey, Brown-Light

Brown-grey,

Brown-Light

Shape(s)

Ovoid

Texture(s)

Rough / Scabrous

Fibrous

Size

10-15mm

Seed Dispersal

Animals, Birds, Gravity

Animals,

Birds,

Gravity

Seed Number

Root Properties

Type

Surface Adventitious Root

Texture

Cord-like , Corky , Fibrous

Cord-like,

Corky,

Fibrous

Colour(s)

Brown, Brown Light

Brown,

Brown Light

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Shaley, Calcareous, Lateritic, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Shaley,

Calcareous,

Lateritic,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline,

Alkaline

Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Moist-Dry

Damp,

Moist,

Moist-Dry

Fertile , Poor , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight - Moderate

Waterlogging Class

W1 – Restricted tolerance

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Poor

Bird Attraction

Insect, Nesting, Fruit, Habitat

Insect,

Nesting,

Fruit,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Low

Wood Density

Low < 600kg/c.m.

Coastal

1st Line

Edible(s)

Fruit - Eaten raw

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Smog Tolerance

Very Good

Snow Tolerance

None

Indigenous Use(s)

Leaves - Roofing, Thatching, Leaves - Weaving, Basketry, Sap - Eaten after processing

Leaves - Roofing, Thatching,

Leaves - Weaving, Basketry,

Sap - Eaten after processing

Landscape Use

Very Good

Street Use

Moderate

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity, Sap - Processed - syrup

Horticulture - Amenity,

Sap - Processed - syrup

Maintenance(s)

Dead Fronding

Pests/Diseases

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum), Mealy Bug, Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus spp.), Red Spider Mite, Scale

Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum),

Mealy Bug,

Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus spp.),

Red Spider Mite,

Scale

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Coastal, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Formal, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Xeriscape, Litter Issue - Fruit, Litter Issue - Leaves, Screen, Shade tree-Medium, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Cockatoo's, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Formal,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Xeriscape,

Litter Issue - Fruit,

Litter Issue - Leaves,

Screen,

Shade tree-Medium,

Sunny Dry,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Cockatoo's,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Parrot's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Dormancy

Summer

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m

Annual Precipitation Range

400mm, 450mm, 500mm, 550mm, 600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 950mm, 1,000mm, 1,100mm, 1,200mm

400mm,

450mm,

500mm,

550mm,

600mm,

650mm,

700mm,

750mm,

800mm,

850mm,

900mm,

950mm,

1,000mm,

1,100mm,

1,200mm

Propagation

Hot Water Stratified Seed

Weed Potential(s)

United States

Florida: Strong
Cal.: Declared

Australia

NT: Strong
QLD: Strong
SA: Strong
VIC: Strong
WA: Strong
Nth. Is.: Strong

Bermuda

Bermuda: Declared

Italy

Italy: Naturalised

Portugal

Portugal: Naturalised

Spain

Spain: Naturalised

France

France: Naturalised

Morocco

Morocco: Naturalised

Tunisia

Tunisia: Naturalised

General Notes

P. canariensis is the natural symbol of the Canary Islands. It has been cultivated in gardens throughout Mediterranean climates for hundreds of years. A very hardy, adaptable palm which has become one of the most planted palms in the world. On La Gomera Island the sap is collected to make palm syrup. Although the fruit is edible there is very little flesh. A palm that is easily transplanted when mature.

The palm has up to 100 graceful, arching, large parapinnate fronds, with 80 - 100 leaflets (pinnae) on either side of the rachis, usually angled forwards .

It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit

Propagation Notes

Hot Water Stratified Seed

Flowering

Sep, Oct, Nov

Seed Collecting

Mar, Apr, May

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Material Preparation

The fruit takes quite a few months to ripen. Pick the fruit when it is brown to black, off the tree or from off the ground. Peel off the outer flesh or if too hard, soak the nuts in warm water for 48 - 72 hours to loosen the outer flesh. Change the water daily. Discard any nuts that float to the top, keep the ones that sink. Floating nuts won't germinate as they lack an endosperm. Wash the nuts thoroughly with Solvol soap to remove any remaining pulp. Allow to dry. Store in a cool, dark place. It is best to sow the nuts as soon as possible for best results.

Viability:- 1 - 2 years

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

2 parts Premium Seed Raising Mix + 1 part Isolite

Treatment

Soak the seeds in thermos of off the boil hot water for 3 days. Fill the large forestry tubes or 150mm deep seedling trays with mix and firm down. Push the fresh nuts in till just the top is exposed, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in hothouse on 21°C heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 30-35° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect sun light.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 1 - 3 months 4 – 6 months before first frond opens

Pricking out:- 3 - 5 months after germination

Tube Mix:- Premium Potting Mix

140mm Pot Mix:- Premium Potting Mix