Phoenix (plant) thin layer of fruit pulp. The central soft part of the stem of "P. rupicola, P. acaulis," and "P. humilis" is a rich source of starch. Palms are felled to extract this central ‘pith’ which is dried, powdered, stored and used for preparation of bread by Indian natives. The "P. canariensis" sap is cooked to a sweet, thick syrup. "P. sylvestris" Roxb. is widely used in India as a source of sugar. The sugary sap from some African palms yields country liquor on fermentation (palm wine). While "P. dactylifera" is grown for its edible dates, the Canary Island date palm
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