Phoenix roebelenii – Dwarf Date Palm, Pygmy Date Palm, Miniature Date Palm, Tamareira Anã, Tamareira Pigmeu, Tamareira miniatura

Description

Phoenix roebelenii is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing slender tree growing to 2–7 metres (6.6–23.0 ft) tall. The leaves are 60–120 cm (24–47 in) 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 15–25 cm (6–10 in) long and 1 cm wide, slightly drooping, and grey-green in colour with scurfy pubescence below.

The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on a 45 cm (18 in) inflorescence. The fruit is an edible 1 cm drupe resembling a small, thin-fleshed date.

This Palm produces strong, spiny thorns approx. 5-10cm (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 trunk and can extend 15-30cm (6-12″ in). 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.

A hardy palm tree that tolerates both direct sunlight and partial shade, and can also be grown in full sun. It has slow to moderate growth and good resistance to the cold of subtropical and temperate regions with mild winters. It is particularly adapted to coastal regions. The fruits, although small, are edible.