Budget style rooftop accommodation with a date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in background, view from Umm Wishah Street, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2013Palma dactylifera, Palma major, Phoenix atlantica, Phoenix atlantidis, Phoenix chevalieri, Phoenix excelsior, Phoenix iberica
Date Palm, nakhal, nakheel
Phoenix dactylifera (date, or date palm) is a palm in the genus Phoenix, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from lands around Iraq . The species is widely cultivated and is reportedly naturalized in Australia, Spain, North Africa, the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, the Sahel region of Africa, Mauritius, Réunion, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan), Fiji, New Caledonia, the United States (California, Nevada, Florida), Puerto Rico, northern Mexico, El Salvador, the Leeward Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic.[+]
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as the date palm, is an evergreen tree native to the Middle East and North Africa. In Qatar, it is widely cultivated for its edible dates and ornamental value. Studies have shown that date palms are well-suited to Qatar's arid climate, with some farms in the country using advanced irrigation systems to optimize water usage. Archaeological findings suggest that date palms have been present in Qatar for thousands of years, with evidence of ancient date palm cultivation found at sites such as Al Zubarah and Mesaid. Today, date palms are a common sight in Qatari landscapes, including urban areas like Doha, where they are often used as ornamental trees or grown in public parks and gardens.
Budget style rooftop accommodation with a date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in background, view from Umm Wishah Street, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2013
Alleyway separating residential units (sikka) with date palms (Phoenix dactylifera), near Sikkat Al Sakhaa, Musheirib area. Doha, Qatar, April 27, 2013
Fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) tied together by cord near Al Doha Al Jadeeda Street. Doha, Qatar, June 1, 2013
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) growing on a sand mound on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, March 3, 2014
Fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) with fruits on Al Muhandiseen Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 6, 2014
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) with fruits near Al Istiqlal Street near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 11, 2014
Group of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, September 26, 2014
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Grove of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a low sand mound on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) with seeds on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Seeds of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) with seeds on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, November 29, 2014
Grove of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, April 25, 2015
Trunks of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, April 25, 2015
Fallen fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on the ground in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Ripening fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), on Corniche promenade. Doha, Qatar, June 16, 2015
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Dusty date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Fronds of a date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Group of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Leaves of a date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Dry fruits of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on the ground in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Cluster of ten date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Ripe reddish fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Dry seeds of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) on the ground in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Date palm plantation (Phoenix dactylifera) south-east from Abu Samra in area of Maszhabiya (Al Mashabiya). Southern Qatar, October 23, 2015
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) covered by windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Young date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakeel) in abandoned gardens in area of Ras Laffan farms. North-eastern Qatar, February 19, 2016
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakeel) in an abandoned garden in area of Ras Laffan farms. North-eastern Qatar, February 19, 2016The observations document the presence of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in various locations across Qatar, primarily in Doha and south-western Qatar. The palms were found in urban areas, such as rooftops, alleys, and parks, as well as in natural habitats like beaches and sand mounds. Observations were made over a period of three years, from 2013 to 2016, and include notes on the palm's growth, fruits, seeds, and leaves. Some observations highlight the palm's ability to thrive in harsh environments, such as windy and sandy conditions. The local name for the date palm, "nakheel" or "nakeel", is also mentioned in some entries. Overall, the observations provide a comprehensive record of the date palm's presence and characteristics in Qatar's diverse landscapes.
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QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.