Phoenix dactylifera

Date palm, Date Palm

Family: Arecaceae · Type: shrub · Not Native

Date palm is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas and desert regions near development and springs at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from October to March, this plant produces small flowers clustered in distinctive branching patterns. Growing to heights of 7 meters with characteristic feather-like fronds, it develops a robust and spreading form. Its long leaves generally measure less than 7 meters in length, creating dramatic architectural shapes in the landscape. The fruit is an oblong-ovate brown date 2.5 to 5 centimeters long with thick, sweet pulp.

Habitat: Uncommon. Near development, springs

Bloom period: Oct-Mar

Elevation: < 300 m

Bioregions: SCo, D

California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Imperial, Inyo, San Mateo, San Diego, Los Angeles

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.