Growth form: The Date Palm is a perennial, dioecious tree (i.e both male and female inflorescence are in separate individuals). Some of Date Palm varieties grow over 10 meter height.
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Phoenix L.
Species: Phoenix dactylifera L.
Citation in the Quran:
The Nakhl and its derivatives appear in 20 places in 16 Suras (chapters) of the Holy Qur’an. Allah the Most Sublime Says; “And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.” Surat Maraym, verse# 25
Citation in the Hadit:
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Apostle ?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” Sahih Al Bukhari, book of knowledge.
Habitat & Distribution:
Date Palm “Nakhil” is probably originated from lands around Iraq and Arabian Peninsula then it may have spread from there to the entire world.
