Phoenix rupicola aka East Indian Wine Palm

Phoenix rupicola is a palm in the Arecaceae family. It stays green all year. Gardeners know it as the cliff date palm. Other names include India date palm and wild date palm. Its home range spans the eastern Himalayas to Bangladesh. It grows in Bhutan and northeast India. In the wild, it grows in warm, wet forests. It also grows on bare, rocky slopes. Other sites include steep ravines, cliffs, and gorges.

This palm has one stem that does not branch. A crown of leaves tops the stem. Sources give heights from 10–16 feet [3–5 metres]. PACSOA reports taller plants of about 26 feet [8 metres]. The slim trunk has smooth bark and may lean. It reaches about 0.6–0.8 feet [0.17–0.25 metres] wide. This does not include the leaf sheaths. Long, bright green leaves arch out from the crown. Each leaf measures about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres]. Old leaves drop from the palm without help. Its glossy leaves and bare trunk add to its looks.

Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both sexes must be present to form fruit and seeds. The small fruit grows wider toward its tip. It measures about 0.05 feet [0.015 metres] long. People eat the fruit raw. Its flesh tastes sweet but has a mealy feel. People also sometimes eat the stem pith raw. Local people gather this palm from the wild for food. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards or medicinal uses. This does not prove safety for every use or pet.

Choose a sunny site with soil that drains very well. PACSOA favours moist soil rich in humus. Young plants prefer some shade as they settle in. Warmth, moist air, and summer rain suit this palm. Useful Tropical Plants says it grows slowly. PACSOA reports faster growth where the air stays warm and moist. It can also thrive in cool, moist temperate climates. PACSOA advises shelter when dry winters fall below about 5°C.

Dry summers and poor sandy soil can cause yellow leaves. PACSOA also reports harm to leaflets in these conditions. Plants may also lack trace elements, nutrients needed in small amounts. It reports few fungal problems in tropical and subtropical climates. Growers can raise this palm from seed. Growing towns and villages threaten wild plants in their home range. Useful Tropical Plants cites a 1998 Near Threatened assessment. This old record does not show a fresh check of its status.