Pygmy Date Palm

Scientific name: Phoenix roebelenii

POWO Status: Shrub

IUCN Red List threat level: Not Evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 52.28″ N, 64° 49′ 44.33″ W

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Observations:

Phenological Markers – Phoenix roebelenii

Common Name: Pygmy Date Palm, Robellini Palm
Scientific Name: Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien
Family: Arecaceae (Palm family)

Leaf Phenology

Leaf Type: Pinnate, feathery leaves with a graceful arch
Evergreen/Semi-deciduous: Evergreen
Leaf Flush: New leaves emerge primarily during warmer months or after rainfall
Senescence: Occasional leaf shedding, particularly of older fronds, which may turn yellow before dropping
Phenological Indicator: Fresh, green fronds emerging at the top of the trunk, especially after a period of increased rainfall or in warmer temperatures

Flowering

Inflorescence: Small, yellowish flowers arranged in branched panicles
Blooming Period (Tropics): Primarily in late spring to summer, though it can flower intermittently year-round in tropical climates
Pollinators: Attracts bees, beetles, and other small pollinators
Phenological Indicator: Long, drooping inflorescences emerging from the crown, with flowers gradually opening along the spike

Fruiting

Fruit Type: Small, oval-shaped, orange to red fruits
Fruit Development: Fruits develop after flowering and typically mature in late summer to early fall
Dispersal: Fruits are dispersed by birds, animals, and gravity
Phenological Indicator: Clusters of orange to red fruits, often appearing at the base of the flower spikes as the flowers fade

Suggested Photo Angles

  • Full palm in context to show the graceful, arching fronds and compact size of the plant
  • Close-up of individual fronds to highlight their feathery texture and pinnate structure
  • Flowering spikes emerging from the crown, particularly with visible flower buds or open flowers
  • Developing and mature fruits, focusing on the color shift from green to orange/red
  • Leaf flush or seasonal yellowing of older fronds during periods of growth or drought stress

Notes for Monitoring

  • Flowering and fruiting may be influenced by seasonal rainfall patterns in tropical climates
  • Commonly found in tropical and subtropical gardens and landscapes, especially as an ornamental plant for small spaces due to its compact size
  • Can be grown in containers or as a landscape plant, and may flower earlier if regularly pruned or cared for
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