DATE PALM, a genus of palms, the most important species of which is the common date palm, the palm tree of Scripture (Phmnix clactyldf era), a native of the N. half of Africa, the S. W. of Asia, and some parts of India. Some parts of China produce large crops. The stem, which is straight and simple, reaches a height of 30 to 60 feet, and bears a head of 40 to 80 glaucous pin nated leaves, of 8 to 10 feet long, and a number of branching spadices, each of which on the female tree bears 180 to 200 fruits. A bunch of dates weighs 20 or 25 pounds, so that an average year's crop may be reckoned at 300 to 600 pounds per tree. From the earliest times fertilization has been artificially aided by cutting off the male inflorescences just before the stamens ripen, and suspend ing them among those of the female tree; so avoiding the risks and losses of ordinary wind-fertilization. In a palm grove there may be but one male stem to 40 or 50 fruit-bearing ones.
This is one of the most important and useful of all the palms. In Egypt, and generally in north Africa, Persia, and Arabia, dates form the principal food, and date palms the principal wealth of the people. The fruit is eaten either fresh or dried, and in the latter state becomes an article of commerce. A sweet juice (date-honey) can be ex pressed from the fruits, from which a kind of wine is obtained by fermenta tion; also a sort of vinegar; an ardent spirit is of course also distilled from the fermented juice. Palm-wine is also
made from the sap after the terminal bud is removed. The bud is eaten as palm-cabbage, similarly also the unde veloped panicles of flowers. The date "stones" or seeds are roasted in north Africa as a substitute for coffee, and have also been introduced into Great Britain for the same purpose. They are also ground and pressed for oil and the residue used for feeding cattle. From leaf-stalks of the common date palm, all kinds of basket and wicker work are also made, and walking-sticks, fans, etc. The leaves themselves are made into bags, mats, and other articles; the fibers of the web-like integuments at the base of their stalks into cordage. The wood is used for buildings, fences, etc.
Some derive the origin of the colon nade pillar in architecture to the regular mode of the planting of the palm tree and the use of its stem in building. The symbol of beauty and of victory alike to Hebrews and Hellenes from the earliest times, it passed readily to the suggestion of victory over death and glorious im mortality; hence the habit of represent ing angels and the blessed with palms in their hands. It was largely used also for decoration of festivals, and for strewing in processions. Christ's tri umphal entry into Jerusalem is still commemorated on Palm Sunday.