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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Date Palm | status = secure | image = Phoenix dactylifera2.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Date Palms, Merzouga, [[Morocco]] | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Liliopsida]] | ordo = [[Arecales]] | familia = [[Arecaceae]] | genus = ''[[Phoenix (plant)|Phoenix]]'' | species = '''''P. dactylifera''''' | binomial = ''Phoenix dactylifera'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} The '''Date Palm''' (''Phoenix dactylifera'') is a [[Arecaceae|palm]] in the genus ''[[Phoenix (plant)|Phoenix]]'', extensively cultivated for its edible [[fruit]]. Due to its long history of cultivation for fruit, its exact native distribution is unknown, but probably originated somewhere in the [[desert]] [[oasis|oases]] of northern [[Africa]], and perhaps also southwest [[Asia]]. It is a medium-sized [[tree]], 15–25 m tall, often clumped with several trunks from a single root system, but also often growing singly. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[pinnate]], 3–5 m long, with spines on the petiole and about 150 leaflets; the leaflets are 30 cm long and 2 cm broad. The full span of the crown ranges from 6–10 m. ==History of dates== Dates ([[Arabic]]: تمر ''Tamr'') have been a staple food of the [[Middle East]] for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around the [[Persian Gulf]], and have been cultivated since ancient times from [[Mesopotamia]] to prehistoric [[Egypt]], possibly as early as 6000 BC. There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern [[Arabia]] in 4,000 BC.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} In later times, Arabs spread dates around northern Africa and into [[Spain]], and dates were introduced into [[Mexico]] and [[California]] by the Spaniards by 1765, around [[Misión San Ignacio Kadakaamán|Mission San Ignacio]]. == Fruit == [[Image:Dates on date palm.jpg|left|thumb|Date clusters hanging down from the crown]] {{nutritionalvalue | name=Dried dates, deglet noor (edible parts) | kJ=1180 | protein=2.5 g | fat=0.4 g | carbs=75 g | fibre=8 g | sugars=63 g | vitC_mg=0.4 | water=21 g | right=1 | source_usda=1 }} The [[fruit]] is a [[drupe]] known as a '''date'''. They are oval-cylindrical, 3–7 cm long, and 2–3 cm diameter, and when unripe, range from bright red to bright yellow in colour, depending on variety. Dates contain a single [[seed]] about 2–2.5 cm long and 6–8 mm thick. Three main [[Cultivar Group]]s of date exist; soft (e.g. 'Barhee', 'Halawy', 'Khadrawy', 'Medjool'), semi-dry (e.g. 'Dayri', 'Deglet Noor', 'Zahidi'), and dry (e.g. 'Thoory'). The type of fruit depends on the [[glucose]], [[fructose]] and [[sucrose]] content. The Date Palm is [[plant sexuality|dioecious]], having separate male and female plants. They can be easily grown from seed, but only 50% of seedlings will be female and hence fruit bearing, and dates from seedling plants are often smaller and of poorer quality. Most commercial plantations thus use cuttings of heavily cropping cultivars, mainly 'Medjool' as this cultivar produces particularly high yields of large, sweet fruit. Plants grown from cuttings will fruit 2–3 years earlier than seedling plants. Dates are naturally wind [[pollination|pollinated]] but in both traditional [[oasis]] [[horticulture]] and in the modern commercial orchards they are entirely pollinated manually. Natural pollination occurs with about an equal number of male and female plants. However, with assistance, one male can [[pollenizer|pollenize]] up to 100 females. Since the males are of value only as pollenizers, this allows the growers to use their resources for many more fruit producing female plants. Some growers do not even maintain any male plants as male flowers become available at local markets at pollination time. Manual pollination is done by skilled labourers on [[ladder]]s, or in some areas such as [[Iraq]] they climb the tree using a special climbing tool that wraps around the tree trunk and the climber's back to keep him attached to the trunk while climbing. Less often the [[pollen]] may be blown onto the female flowers by wind [[machine]]. [[Parthenocarpy|Parthenocarpic]] cultivars are available but the seedless fruit is smaller and of lower quality.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Dates ripen in four stages, which are known throughout the world by their [[Arabic language|Arabic]] names ''kimri'' (unripe), ''khalal'' (full-size, crunchy), ''rutab'' (ripe, soft), ''tamr'' (ripe, sun-dried). A 100 [[gram]] portion of fresh dates is a premium source of [[vitamin C]] and supplies 230 [[calorie|kcal]] (960 [[joule|kJ]]) of energy. Since dates contain relatively little water, they do not become much more concentrated upon drying, although the vitamin C is lost in the process. Dates are an important traditional crop in [[Iraq]], [[Arabia]], and north Africa west to [[Morocco]] and are mentioned in many places in the [[Quran]]. In [[Islam]]ic countries, dates and yogurt or sometimes milk are a traditional first meal when the sun sets during [[Ramadan]]. Dates (especially Medjool and [[Deglet Noor]]) are also cultivated in southern [[California]] in the [[United States]]. Date palms take about 7 years after planting before they will bear fruit, and produce viable yields for commercial harvest after about 10 years. Mature date palms can produce 80–120 kilograms of dates per harvest season, although they do not all ripen at the same time so several harvests are required. In order to get fruit of marketable quality, the bunches of dates must be thinned before ripening so that the remaining fruits grow larger. == Cultivars of dates == [[Image:Phoenix dactylifera1.jpg|right|thumb|Date Palm orchard, Boumalne, Morocco]] A large number of date [[cultivar]]s are grown. The most important are: * 'Aabel' - common in Libya * 'Ajwah' - from the town of ‘Ajwah in Saudi Arabia, it is the subject of a famous hadith of the prophet Muhammad. * 'Amir Hajj' - from Iraq, these are soft with a thin skin and thick flesh. * '[[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir#'Abid Rahim (عبد رحيم‎)|'Abid Rahim]]' (Arabic: عبد رحيم‎), from [[Sudan]] * 'Amer' (amir) hajj - called "the visitor's date" * '[[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir#Barakawi (بركاوي‎)|Barakawi]]' (Arabic: بركاوي‎), from [[Sudan]] * 'Barhee' (barhi) (from Arabic ''barh'', a hot wind) - these are nearly cylindrical, light amber to dark brown when ripe; soft, with thick flesh and rich flavour. One of the few varieties which are good in the ''khalal'' stage when they are yellow (like a fresh grape as opposed to dry, like a raisin). * '[[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir#Bireir (برير‎)|Bireir]]' (Arabic: برير‎) - from [[Sudan]] * '[[Deglet Noor]]' (Arabic: 'translucent' or 'date of light') - so named because the centre appears light or golden when held up to the sun. This is a leading date in [[Algeria]], the [[USA]], and [[Tunisia]], and in the latter country it is grown in inland oases and is the chief export cultivar. It is semi-dry and not very sweet. * 'Derrie' or 'Dayri' (the 'Monastery' date) - from southern [[Iraq]] - these are long, slender, nearly black, and soft. * 'Empress' - developed by the Deval Family in Indio California USA from a seedling of 'Deglet Noor'. It is larger than 'Deglet Noor', somewhat softer and sweeter. It generally has a light tan top half and brown bottom half. * 'Ftimi' or 'Alligue' - these are grown in inland oases of Tunisia. * 'Halawy' (Halawi) (Arabic: 'sweet') - these are soft, and extremely sweet, small to medium in size. * 'Haleema' - in Hoon, Libya (''Haleema'' is a woman's name) * '[[Hayany]]' - from Egypt (Hayani) (''Hayany'' is a man's name) - these dates are dark-red to nearly black and soft. * 'Iteema' - common in [[Algeria]] * 'Kenta' - common in [[Tunisia]] * 'Khadrawy' (Arabic: 'green') - a cultivar favoured by many Arabs, it is a soft, very dark date. * 'Khalasah' (Arabic: 'quintessence') - one of the most famous palm cultivars in Saudi Arabia, famous for its sweetness level that is not high nor low, thus, suits most people. Its fruit is called 'Khlas'. Its famous place is 'Huffuf' (Al-Ahsa) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (Al-Sharqheyah). * 'Khastawi' (Khusatawi, Kustawy) - this is the leading soft date in Iraq; it is syrupy and small in size, prized for dessert. * 'Maktoom' (Arabic: 'hidden') - this is a large, red-brown, thick-skinned, soft, medium-sweet date. * 'Manakbir' - a large fruit which ripens early. * 'Medjool' (Arabic: 'unknown') - from [[Morocco]], also grown in the [[USA]], [[Jordan]] and [[Israel]]; a large, sweet and succulent date. * 'Migraf' (Mejraf) - very popular in Southern Yemen, these are large, golden-amber dates. * 'Mgmaget Ayuob' - from Hoon, Libya * '[[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir#Mishriq (مشرق)‎|Mishriq]]' (Arabic: 'East' - مشرق)‎ - from [[Sudan]] and [[Saudi Arabia]] * 'Nabtat-seyf' - in Saudi Arabia. * 'Sag‘ai' - from Saudi Arabia. * 'Saidy' (Saidi) - soft, very sweet, these are popular in Libya. * 'Sayer' (Sayir) (Arabic: 'common') - these dates are dark orange-brown, of medium size, soft and syrupy. * 'Sekkeri' - (lit. sugary) Dark brown skin; distinctly sweet and soft flesh, from Saudi Arabia. * 'Sellaj' - in Saudi Arabia. * 'Tagyat' - common in Libya. * 'Tamej' - in Libya. * 'Thoory' (Thuri) - popular in Algeria, this dry date is brown-red when cured with a bluish bloom and very wrinkled skin. Its flesh is sometimes hard and brittle but the flavour described as sweet and nutty. * 'Umeljwary' - in Libya. * 'Umelkhashab' - Brilliant red skin; bittersweet, hard white flesh (Saudi Arabia). * 'Zahidi' (Arabic: '[Of the] ascetic') - these medium size, cylindrical, light golden-brown semi-dry dates are very sugary, and sold as soft, medium-hard and hard. It should be noted, however, that a cultivar can have several names depending on the locality. == Production == [[Image:Date-seller.jpg|thumb|Date seller in the old [[souq]] in [[Kuwait City]]|right]] [[Image:2005date.PNG|thumb|right|Date output in 2005]] {| class="wikitable" align=left style="clear:left" ! colspan=2|Top Ten Dates Producers — 2005<br>(1000 tonnes) |- | {{EGY}} || align="right" | 1,170.00 |- | {{KSA}} || align="right" | 970.49 |- | {{IRN}} || align="right" | 880.00 |- | {{UAE}} || align="right" | 760.00 |- | {{ALG}} || align="right" | 516.29 |- | {{PAK}} || align="right" | 496.58 |- | {{SUD}}|| align="right" | 328.20 |- | {{LBY}} || align="right" | 150.00 |- | {{CHN}} || align="right" | 130.00 |- | {{TUN}} || align="right" | 125.00 |- |'''World Total''' || align="right" | '''5526.56''' |- |colspan=2|''Source: <br>[[UN Food & Agriculture Organisation]] (FAO)''[http://faostat.fao.org/site/340/default.aspx] |} [[Iraq]] used to be a major producer of dates but in recent years production and exports have been curtailed.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} ==Food uses== Dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand, or may be seeded and stuffed with fillings such as [[almond]]s, [[walnut]]s, candied [[Orange (fruit)|orange]] and [[lemon]] [[Peel (fruit)|peel]], and [[marzipan]]. Dates can also be chopped and used in a range of sweet and savoury dishes, from [[tajine]]s (tagines) in [[Morocco]] to [[pudding]]s, [[bread]], [[cake]]s and other dessert items. Dates are also processed into cubes, paste, spread, date syrup or "[[honey]]" called "dibs", powder (date sugar), [[vinegar]] or [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]]. Recent innovations include [[chocolate]]-covered dates and products such as sparkling date juice, used in some Islamic countries as a non-alcoholic version of [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]], for special occasions and religious times such as [[Ramadan]]. Dates can also be dehydrated, ground and mixed with grain to form a nutritious stockfeed. Dried dates are fed to camels, horses and dogs in the Sahara. In northern [[Nigeria]], dates and [[Chili pepper|pepper]]s added to the native [[beer]] are believed to make it less intoxicating. Young date leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, as is the terminal bud or heart, though its removal kills the palm. The finely ground seeds are mixed with [[flour]] to make bread in times of scarcity. The flowers of the date palm are also edible. Traditionally the female flowers are the most available for sale and weigh 300-400 grams. The flower buds are used in salad or ground with dried fish to make a [[condiment]] for bread. In [[India]], North Africa, [[Ghana]], and [[Côte d'Ivoire]], date palms are tapped for the sweet [[Plant sap|sap]] which is converted into palm sugar (known as ''[[jaggery]]'' or ''gur''), [[molasses]] or alcoholic beverages. In North Africa the sap obtained from tapping palm trees is known as lāgbī /IPA:{{IPA|laːgbiː}}/. If left for a sufficient period of time (typically hours-depending on the temperature) lāgbī easily becomes an alcoholic drink. Special skill is required when tapping the palm tree so that it does not die. It is also used to make [[Jallab]]. ==Other uses== [[Image:Phoenix dactylifera3.jpg|left|thumb|Date Palm stump showing the wood structure]] Date seeds are soaked and ground up for animal feed. Their oil is suitable for use in soap and cosmetics. They can also be processed chemically as a source of [[oxalic acid]]. The seeds are also burned to make [[charcoal]] for [[silversmith]]s, and can be strung in necklaces. Date seeds are also ground and used in the manner of [[coffee]] beans, or as an additive to coffee. Date palm leaves are used for [[Palm Sunday]] in [[Christian]] religion. In North Africa, they are commonly used for making huts. Mature leaves are also made into mats, screens, baskets and fans. Processed leaves can be used for [[Thermal insulation|insulating board]]. Dried leaf [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s are a source of [[cellulose]] pulp, used for walking sticks, brooms, fishing floats and fuel. Leaf sheaths are prized for their scent, and fibre from them is also used for rope, coarse cloth, and large hats. The leaves are also used as a [[lulav]] in the Jewish holiday of [[Sukkot]]. Stripped fruit clusters are used as brooms. In Pakistan, a viscous, thick syrup made from the ripe fruits is used as a coating for leather bags and pipes to prevent leaking. Date palm [[wood]] is used for posts and rafters for huts; it is lighter than [[coconut]] and not very durable. It is also used for construction such as bridges and aqueducts, and parts of [[dhow]]s. Leftover wood is burnt for fuel. Where craft traditions still thrive, such as in [[Oman]], the palm tree is the most versatile of all indigeneous plants, and virtually every part of the tree is utilised to make functional items ranging from rope and baskets to [[Beehive (beekeeping)|beehives]], fishing boats, and traditional dwellings.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} ==Traditional medicinal uses== Dates have a high [[tannin]] content and are used medicinally as a detersive (having cleansing power) and [[astringent]] in [[intestine|intestinal]] troubles.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} As an [[infusion]], [[decoction]], syrup, or paste, dates may be administered for sore throat, colds, bronchial [[catarrh]], and taken to relieve [[fever]] and number of other complaints.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} One traditional belief is that it can counteract [[drunkenness|alcohol intoxication]]. The seed powder is also used in some traditional medicines. A gum that exudes from the wounded trunk is employed in India for treating [[diarrhea]] and genito-[[urinary system|urinary]] ailments.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The roots are used against toothache. The [[pollen]] yields an [[estrogen]]ic principle, [[estrone]], and has a [[gonadotropin|gonadotropic]] effect on young rats. == Diseases == {{Main|List of date palm diseases}} Date Palms are susceptible to a [[disease]] called [[Bayoud disease]] which is caused by the [[fungus]] ''[[Fusarium oxysporum]]''. This disease, which kills many of the popular older cultivars like '[[Deglet Noor]]', has led to a major decline in production where it is present, notably [[Morocco]] and western [[Algeria]]. However, new cultivars resistant to the disease are being developed. == See also == * [[Date and walnut loaf]] * [[Date cultivation in Dar al-Manasir]] * [[Jaggery]] * [[Jujube]] * [[List of fruits]] == External links == {{Commons|Phoenix dactylifera}} * [http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/006/Y4360E/y4360e00.HTM Date Palm Cultivation] ([[Food and Agriculture Organization]]) * [http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0681E/t0681e02.htm Date Palm Products] (Additional information from the FAO) * [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/Date.html Fruits of Warm Climates: Date] *[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v7f2/v7f210.html Date Palm] entry in [[Encyclopaedia Iranica]] [[Category:Palms]] [[Category:Fruit]] [[Category:Tropical agriculture]] [[Category:Plants and pollinators]] [[Category:Flora of Asia]] [[Category:Flora of Africa]]

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