| Phoenix roebelenii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Phoenix |
| Species: | P. roebelenii |
| Binomial name | |
| Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien |
|
Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm or Miniature Date Palm) is a species of date palm native to southeastern Asia from southwestern China (Yunnan Province), northern Laos and northern Vietnam, (in Dien Bien Province, Ha Giang Province, Cao Bang Province, Lang Son Province).[1][2] The name is sometimes mistakenly cited as roebelinii.
It is a small to medium size, slow-growing slender tree growing to 2-3 meters or 6-10 feet tall. The plant likes partial shade to full sun, but local climate must be taken into account when deciding where to plant. In the southwest desert areas, morning sun is recommended for best growth. It requires little pruning to develop a strong structure, is resistant to pests, is tolerant to soil variation, and is moderately drought tolerant. The leaves are 60-120 cm 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 long and 1 cm broad, slightly drooping, and grey-green in colour with scurfy pubescence below. The flowers are small, yellowish, produced on a 45 cm inflorescence. The fruit is a 1 cm drupe resembling a small, thin-fleshed date.[3]
The Pygmy Date Palm is a popular ornamental plant in tropical to warm temperate areas, including Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, California, southern Nevada, coastal Texas, Florida, parts of Louisiana and Arizona.