Persistent leaf sheaths and petiole bases on all. Pleonanthic with interfoliar inflorescence. Full sun, most tolerant of some frost and high heat. Most need low humidity to fruit properly, except P. paludosa. 17 Species originating in Atlantic islands, Crete, Africa, Middle east, India to Philippines, Sumatra and Malay peninsula.
Most species hybridize freely.
Dactylifera known survival down to 6 degrees f. under certain conditions - most other species tolerate far less frost and cold. Tropical P. paludosa and reclinata being perhaps two of the more frost sensitive. Canary Island Dates are hardy Palms and can take considerable frost, although not as much as Phoenix dactylifera. Both have been found by this author to take down to 12 degrees fahrenheit for several hours near Logandale Nevada with considerable leaf damage but not enough damage to kill except under circumstances which include other factors, such as disease, lack of moisture in soil and lack of early morning sun after extended frosts. Canariensis in the Arizona - Mexico border town of Nogales sustain considerable frost damage but survive.