Epinastic Growth and Accordion-Type Leaf Formation of a Phoenix Canariensis Following Herbicide Application

Abstract

Canary Islands date palms (Phoenix canariensis) were introduced to Australia in the second half of the nineteenth century as ornamental plants, where they have become naturalised in those urban, peri-urban and agricultural landscapes where hot dry summers and cool winters or mild temperatures prevail. Given their persistence, and proven resilience to low moisture conditions once they have become established, they are often regarded as a hard to eradicate, invasive environmental plant. Palms that are subject to extreme nutrient deficiencies, such as Boron, may experience damaged or impaired shoot apical meristem which can result in malformed leaf and stem growth. This paper describes longitudinal observation of the effects of a poising event on a Canary Islands date palm, when a farmer applied a 'cocktail' of herbicides comprised of an above-strength formulation of both Brush-Off and Ally. The plant's continued persistence, albeit with malformations, demonstrates the resilience of Canary Islands, date palm as an ornamental species.