Some scary pictures

[Phoenikakias]

OK we all know that most sp in this genus are armed with formidable spines. But some particular plants have really scary spines even to experts because they are long, stiff, sharp and, most important, very closely arranged to each other making an impenetrable fortress.

[Kim]

Please wear eye protection.

[Josh76]

Don't lose your wallet in there!

[dalmatiansoap]

Need that for boars!!!

[Sabal Steve]

You have a nice collection of cacti.

[Phoenikakias]

First picture is from a feral variety of P dactylifera from Libya. Second pic is from P. theophrasti. Third pic is from a reclinata hybrid. Third pic does injustice to to the real spiny habit of the hybrid because it shows only younger leaves with not not fully developed spines. I have to find a particular pic of the hybrid showing older leaves; I think it is even more intimidating than jaws.

[Phoenikakias]

Need that for boars!!!

Indeed Ante! I am not sure if you told this in fully conscience of the historical background. It is no wonder that all those palms originate from the old world and especially from the zones where food producing human societies and first civilization appeared on earth; There had been also in those zones big herbivorous mamals (the ancestors of the domesticated mamals) and maybe this armour is an adaptation of palms in terms of defence against those animals.

[avanza]

trick my aunt to sit on there.