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
Parable of the barren fig tree eating the forbidden fruit. The story suggests that the vinedresser is an observant Jew and the owner is a pagan, unfamiliar with the laws of first fruits. Now that the tree is entering its productive period, the vinedresser has saved it from the ax, without letting the master know what happened to the earlier fruit. However, the owner has yet another surprise coming, because in the fourth year, all the fruit is offered to the Lord. Luke may have picked up a Jewish tale of a Jewish laborer outsmarting his pagan master. In the end, the faithful prevail. Although the