Medjool Date Palm
Phoenix dactylifera 'Medjool'
Medjool Date Palm
Urban Forest Tree Walk
Scientific name:
Phoenix dactylifera 'Medjool'
Where to find it:
The common name comes from the fact that the palm bears fruit called dates, which are not only edible, but also tasty. The species name dactylifera means "finger-bearing" and refers to the fruit clusters produced by this palm. Dactylifera is a combination of the Greek word dactylus, or "finger," and the Latin word ferous, or "bearing."
People in the Middle East have used the date palm as a main food source for at least 1000 years. It is only in the last several hundred years that it became a global commodity. Today, cultivation of date palm has spread into many other parts of the world including the United States. Currently, there are hundreds of varieties of the date palm, with noticeable differences in fruit characteristics. Only two varieties produce fruit in areas with humidity similar to that of the Gulf Coast region of the United States.
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Although date palm prefers dry climates, it occurs along rivers and streams and in areas of the desert that have underground water sources. In America, this tree grows well in regions where there is low humidity, although it is found in humid areas like Florida.
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