cliff date
Phoenix rupicola T.Anderson
Phoenix rupicola, known as cliff date, is a palm species in the Arecaceae family. It is native to the mountainous regions of India and Bhutan, typically found at elevations between 300 and 1,200 m on cliffs and hillsides. The species is threatened by habitat loss in its native range. It has been reported as naturalised in the Andaman Islands, the Leeward Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, with a recent record in Saint Lucia.
Description
Phoenix rupicola is a palm native to the mountainous forests of India and Bhutan, where it grows on cliffs and hillsides. Its distribution includes the Andaman Islands, Assam, and parts of the East Himalaya. The species has also been introduced to regions such as the Leeward Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad-Tobago. It was first described in 1869 by T.Anderson. Due to habitat loss in its native range, the species is considered at risk. Despite this, it has successfully naturalised in several tropical regions outside its original range.
Other common names
East Indian wine palmcliff datewild date palmIndian date palmCliff date palm
Distribution
SC · BR · Global · Andaman Is. · Assam · Bangladesh · Cuba · East Himalaya · Leeward Is. · Puerto Rico · Trinidad-Tobago
