Family: Arecaceae, Palm view all from this family

Description Introduced palm with a rounded crown and a stout, gray trunk often covered with woody bases of old leaves.
Leaves: to 20' (6 m) long, feather-like, erect, gray-green, evergreen.
Flowers: tiny, white, in dense clusters on branched orange stalks; bloom February-April.
Fruit: blackish,edible dates; ripe September–December.
Height: 23-50' (7-15 m).

Habitat Gardens, other cultivated sites.

Range Native to northern Africa or southwestern Asia; cultivated in southwestern United States.

Discussion This species has been cultivated for its palatable fruits in southern California and other hot, dry regions. It is showing some invasive tendencies in some areas and is on the alien plant watch list of the Plant Conservation Alliance.