Phoenix dactylyrhizae, also known as dates palm or date palm, belongs to the family of palms or palm tree, called “Arecaceae”. It is a small flowering plant belonging to the date family, Dactyloideae, cultivated mainly for its succulent, sweet fruit. The fruit, which is very hard and thick, is used as a sweet delicacy in Egypt.
A palm tree in Australia, this palm is native to the coastal area of south-eastern Australia. In its native areas, it grows as a shrub with low branches and spread out roots and branches at the top and bottom of the stems. It is also found in coastal parts of Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. The fruit of the date palm grows up to 30 cm tall and is mostly green and covered in a dark, soft velvet.
Dates palm trees are found mostly in arid regions of Southeast Asia. It grows in open land with some support from the ground such as sand, loamy soil or gravel. It has wide leaves with sharp ends and long hairs on the upper surfaces.
Palm trees are very popular in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and other countries of the world. The sweet taste of dates is a reason why it is preferred by many people all over the world. The dates plant grows on high-deserted hillsides, slopes and mountainsides in these countries, and can be easily grown from seedlings. They prefer dry, sandy areas to grow and mature.
This palm is an ornamental palm with a fleshy, sweet-smelling pulp and small fleshy, red seeds that are very rich in vitamin C. These fruits are high in fiber and protein, and are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The seeds can be eaten raw, or added to salads or desserts. Some varieties of the date palm produce a bitter tasting, but beneficial, latex that makes the fruit taste sweet after being fried in oil or baked in cookies.
Dates palm trees are not very difficult to grow and cultivate. They thrive well in high humidity and dry, sandy areas of Southeast Asia. Planting dates palm trees in the Southern part of your home is ideal. It can be easily maintained by regular watering and fertilizer.
While the date palm trees are very useful for producing dates, they may not be able to compete with other palms for getting a good harvest. Therefore, the best time to harvest the date is in late winter or early spring when they are at their peak production time. The best time to pick ripe dates is when the tree is fully opened and the fruit inside is soft. Firm, juicy dates should be plucked right before they turn brown and harden to a dark color.
Date trees make a great addition to tropical and subtropical gardens and are an excellent choice for tropical decorating. in their tropical setting, they will add color and texture to your home with their colorful leaves, bright green fruit, colorful flowers, deep purple berries and rich creamy sap.