Phoenix theophrasti ancient Greek ‘father of botany,’ had described several types of palms, including one from Crete. Apart from the usually inedible dates and upright fruit clusters, the Cretan species can appear quite similar to the cultivated date ("Phoenix dactylifera"). "Phoenix theophrasti" grows up to 15 m tall, usually with several slender stems. The leaves are pinnate, 2–3 m long, with numerous rigid greyish-green linear leaflets 15–50 cm long on each side of the central rachis. Dead leaves are marcescent, remaining attached to the stem for years after withering. The fruit is an oval yellowish-brown drupe 1.5 cm long and 1 cm
Niebla dactylifera species that further differs by a more regularly branched thallus, one that is also broader at the base than above the base. Black dot-like pycnidia are infrequent and inconspicuous at tips of the ultimate branches. The key lichen substances is sekikaic acid, with accessory triterpenes. Pigmentation is weak near base of thallus, the cortex appearing brownish with blackish areas. "Niebla dactylifera" was recognized as a result of undertaking a taxonomic revision of the genus in regard towards development of a lichen flora of Baja California, beginning in 1986. A peer review of the manuscript in 1990 suggested that additional herbarium