Date Palms

Mentioned by Pliny in his Natural History(1) as being ornamental and having medicinal properties, the True Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), which was normally restricted to semi-deserts(2) was able to grow in Italy but was usually stunted and would not fruit(3)

• a very short page on the History of Date Palms
• an excellent, highly detailed page on Growing Date Palms

bibliography

(1)Pliny's Natural History; XIII, 6,26

(2)Oxford Encyclopedia of trees of the world; p258

(3)Ancient Roman Gardens; Linda Farrar;1998; p141