Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
pygmy date palm
Family Name:
Arecaceae
Botanical Name:
Phoenix roebelenii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Phoenix roebelenii is a small evergreen palm species which grows 12 feet in height, and six to eight feet in width. This palm is single trunked, but it often grows in clumps of two to four palms. The trunk is three to six inches wide and often grows in a curved or crooked pattern, and characterized by nub-like leaf scars (1,2). Fronds are three to four feet long, and odd pinnately compound. The pinnae are one fourth of an inch to three eights of an inch wide, and eight to 12 inches long. This palm is dioecious, and produces panicles of inconspicuous white flowers. The flowers develop into fruits which are an inch to a half inch in diameter, round, fleshy, and black to red in color (3).
Compound:
Pho roe
Geographic Origin:
China
Ecozone Origin:
Indomalaya
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
P. roebelenii is a native of China and Laos, but is cultivated worldwide as a landscape ornamental (1).
Cultivation Notes:
P. roebelenii grows best in warm, mesic, or tropical landscapes. This palm grows best in full or partial sun, but in areas with intense sunlight (such as Tucson) it does not tolerate the intensity of full afternoon sun (1). The pygmy date palm is hardy to 30°F (2). This plant is tolerant of slightly alkaline and acidic soil, but grows best in well-drained soils which do not contain salt. It is vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, and can be infected by leaf spot and bud rot, however, this rarely causes permanent harm to the palm. If wanted, dead fronds may be pruned from the trunk.
Ethnobotany:
P. roebelenii is planted worldwide as an ornamental plant in containers and raised beds, in front of entryways, and in patios and atriums (3).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Green
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
