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
Ceratocystis paradoxa the plant. If the pathogen infects the plant while fruits are still on it, they will prematurely drop. Other symptoms include discoloration of leaves as well as the seeds. The lesions on the fruit evolve to become soft rot spots that produce a heinous odor. The fruit can even get to the point of breakdown. Known Hosts: "Ananas comosus" (pineapple) "Araceae" "Areca catechu" (betelnut palm) "Borassus flabellifer" (toddy palm) "Butia capitata" "Cocos nucifera" (coconut) "Coffea" (coffee) "Daucus carota" (carrot) "Dypsis decaryi" "Elaeis guineensis" (African oil palm) "Eucalyptus" "Howea forsteriana" (paradise palm) "Mangifera indica" (mango) "Musa x paradisiaca" (plantain) "Phoenix dactylifera"