# Canary Island Palm (*phoenix canariensis*) The Canary Island Palm is a tall and beautiful tree that can grow up to 60 feet high! Its feathery fronds provide shade and are a favorite spot for birds to rest. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Typically found in subtropical and Mediterranean climates, often in parks and gardens. - **Also known as:** Phoenix Palm ![Canary Island Palm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phoenix_canariensis_kz01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phoenix_canariensis_kz01.jpg) ## Appearance The Canary Island Palm has a massive, single, straight trunk covered in distinctive diamond-shaped patterns from old leaf bases. Its crown bursts with hundreds of arching, feather-like fronds, creating a majestic, fountain-like silhouette. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Arecales - **Family:** Arecaceae - **Genus:** Phoenix ## Interesting facts - Its 'pineapple' top is actually new fronds emerging from the growing tip! - Its fruits are small, tough dates, not the sweet ones you typically eat! - The unique diamond pattern on its trunk is made by old, fallen leaf bases! - This palm can grow new fronds continuously throughout the entire year! ## Special abilities - **Thirsty Roots:** Canary Island Palm has deep roots that can find water far underground, helping it survive long dry periods in its island home. - **Leafy Shields:** Canary Island Palm keeps its old frond bases on its trunk, forming a thick protective layer against fire and extreme temperatures. - **Sweet Signal:** Canary Island Palm produces sugary dates that attract animals, helping them spread its seeds to new places. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1000-2000 cm - **Spread:** 500-600 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Red Palm Weevil (*Rhynchophorus ferrugineus*) — larvae bore into and kill the palm - **Eats:** [Blackcap](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blackcap) (*Sylvia atricapilla*) — consumes its dates, spreading seeds - **Shelter:** Tenerife Blue Tit (*Parus teneriffae*) — nests safely within its dense fronds - **Eats:** [Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat) (*Rattus rattus*) — eats its seeds and fruit ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Canary Island Palm? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Canary Island Palm? 1000-2000 cm ### How wide does Canary Island Palm spread? 500-600 cm ### How big are the flowers on Canary Island Palm? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Canary Island Palm bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Canary Island Palm edible? Yes ### Is Canary Island Palm toxic? None ### What is Canary Island Palm's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Golden Hill](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/golden-hill) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Guadalupe River Park & Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/guadalupe-river-park-and-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [San Jose Municipal Rose Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-jose-municipal-rose-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Venice Canal Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/venice-canal-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Kurpark Bad Pyrmont](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kurpark-bad-pyrmont) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park [View all places to see Canary Island Palm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canary-island-palm) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Canary Island Palm: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canary-island-palm)