The Canary Island Date Palm, native to the Canary Islands, is a relative of Phoenix dactylifera, the true date palm. The difference between the two is easily recognized by Canary Island Date Palm’s crown of dark green fronds (P. dactylifera has blue-green fronds) and the pineapple shape of the short, thick trunk (P. dactylifera is tall and straight). P. canariensis is widely planted as an ornamental plant, particularly in areas with a Mediterranean climate. It is often seen in Arriyadh, where the difference goes unnoticed, except by botanists. It is less frost- and drought-tolerant than P. dactylifera. It is a large-spreading, densely branched palm, up to 18 metres tall and 15 m wide. The glossy green leaves are pinnate, with sharp spines along the lower part of the stem. Fruit is produced on female palms as an oval, yellow to orange drupe containing a single seed, and is of poor quality. A slow-growing tree requiring full sun, it is frost-tolerant to –7°C for only a short period. P. canariensis prefers a rich, moist, alluvial, sandy soil: salinity tolerance is medium. Irrigation requirements are moderate. Propagation is by seed. Many pests attack this palm: giant palm borer weevils, leaf skeletonisers and scale. It is also susceptible to lethal yellowing, fusarium and ganoderma fungal diseases. The high maintenance of this palm involves trimming to enhance its appearance: they are often ‘pineappled’ to stop fronds from touching cars or pedestrians, as well as clearing fruit litter. It is best planted along roads and in parks.