Introduction and dispersion of Phoenix dactylifera in the Canarian archipelago: Elements of discussion

Abstract

The genus Phoenix is represented in the Canary Islands by P. canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud., varieties of P. dactylifera L. and their hybrids. Some authors (Kunkel, 1970:65) also quote P. atlantica and examples morphologically close to P. theophrasti, P. rupicola and P. sylvestris. Today, the presence of P. dactylifera in the archipelago is generalised, not only in parks and gardens but in the rural areas, in which it is dominant in some places. Its introduction is documented for those years immediately after the Norman-Castillian conquest of the archipelago (1402-1496), However, in this paper the possibility that, in the dares previously mentioned, it was already introduced in some enclaves of some of the islands is argued, and a hypothesis about its presence is offered.