Description

Phoenix roebelenii is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing slender tree growing to metres tall. The leaves are long, pinnate, with around 100 leaflets arranged in a single plane (unlike the related P. loureiroi where the leaflets are in two planes). Each leaflet is long and wide, slightly drooping, and grey-green in colour with scurfy pubescence below.

The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on a inflorescence. The fruit is an edible drupe resembling a small, thin-fleshed date.

This Palm produces strong, spiny thorns approx. 2-4″ in length. The size of the thorns depends on the age of the tree. These thorns are located on the Palm Leaf stem close to the truck and can may extend 6-12″ from the trunk. The thorns are very sharp and easily penetrate the skin. They are poisonous and can cause irritation, skin infection, bruising and can be severe. They can also cause an allergic reaction. These reactions differentiate on the exposure.
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Phoenix
Species: P. roebelenii
Phoenix roebelenii is a popular ornamental plant in gardens in tropical and subtropical climate areas. With a minimum temperature requirement of 26 °F (−3 °C). it is grown under glass or as a houseplant in cooler areas.