Phoenix canariensis

Botanical Description

Phoenix canariensis is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree producing a crown of leaves at the top of an unbranched stem. The stem is usually up to 15 metres tall, occasionally reaching 20 metres, and is up to 120cm in diameter (excluding leaf sheaths). The arching leaves can be are around 5 - 6 metres long[ 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ]. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for its sweet-tasting sap, and also provides fibrous leaves that are used locally to weave into various products. This is one of the most commonly grown ornamentals in the world, and it is extensively cultivated in warm temperate regions as a street tree or garden plant[ 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ] Phoenix canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands but with a much wider non-native distribution due to its widespread use in cultivation. The species is impacted by hybridisation with the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) as well as infestation by weevil pests and increased fires and habitat loss. However the species is found in several protected areas and is protected by law. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The plant is one of the most commonly grown and appreciated ornamental palms of the world. It has recently been noted naturalising and becoming invasive in southern California and northern New Zealand, mostly in riverine wetland and coastal habitats. Planted widely, the seeds are eaten and spread by birds, and can be washed down watercourses where established. However, control is likely to prove less difficult as compared with other invasive plants[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]..