Phoenix canariensis considered naturalised (lives wild in a region where it is not indigenous). It has also spread in some areas of peninsular Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. It is listed as invasive in California. In Auckland, New Zealand, the palm has itself become a host for the naturalised Australian strangler fig, "Ficus macrophylla". Phoenix canariensis Phoenix canariensis is a species of flowering plant in the palm family Arecaceae, native to the Canary Islands. It is a relative of "Phoenix dactylifera", the true date palm. It is the natural symbol of the Canary Islands, together with the canary "Serinus canaria".
Cursing the fig tree connected to the parable of the barren fig tree. F. F. Bruce states that fig trees produce ""taqsh"" before the season if they are going to bear fruit in the season itself. Since this one didn't, it was a sign that it would not produce any fruit that year either. Theology professor Craig Keener has used these passages as a reason for an early dating for the Gospel of Matthew, saying only someone with a close knowledge of the Mount of Olives would have known that its fig trees come out in leaves around the Passover time of year. In