Phoenix (plant) hybridisation and cross-pollination. Several natural hybrids were hence obtained: "P. dactylifera X. P. sylvestris "(India)," P. dactylifera × P. canariensis" (Morocco, Algeria and Israel), and " P. dactylifera × P. reclinata "(Senegal). "Phoenix" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including "Paysandisia archon" and the "Batrachedra" species "B. amydraula" (recorded on "P. dactylifera"), "B. arenosella" and "B. isochtha" (feeds exclusively on "Phoenix" spp.). The fruit of "P. dactylifera", the date of commerce, is large with a thick layer of fruit pulp, edible, very sweet and rich in sugar; the other species have only a
Texas phoenix palm decline Texas phoenix palm decline Texas Phoenix palm decline is a plant disease caused by a phytoplasma, "Candidatus" Phytoplasma palmae. It takes its name from the state it was first identified in and the palm species, "Phoenix", upon which it was first identified. It is currently found in parts of Florida and Texas. The TPPD strain is classified as group 16SrIV, subgroup D (16SrIV-D) and LY:16SrIV-A. Several palms susceptible to the phytoplasma have been documented, including: "Phoenix canariensis", "Phoenix dactylifera", "Phoenix sylvestris", "Phoenix reclinata", "Sabal palmetto", and "Syagrus romanzoffiana". Prior to 2006, lethal yellowing was the only other strain of phytoplasma