Pericham pazham, khajur in Hindi, is the date palm, an oasis tree domesticated in the Persian Gulf region several thousand years ago. Most dates in Indian shops are imported from the Gulf, Iran and Iraq, but Kutch in Gujarat grows fresh dates that are sold crisp and yellow or red in summer. Dates are eaten to break the Ramadan fast. Bengal’s khejur gur comes from a different palm, Phoenix sylvestris.
- Botanical name
- Phoenix dactylifera L.
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Tamil
- Pericham
- Hindi
- Khajur
- Sanskrit
- Kharjūra
- Parts used
- Fruit
- Habit
- Oasis date palm; most dates in Indian shops are imported
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Pericham
It is a tall palm, often fifteen to twenty-five metres, with a single trunk covered in old leaf bases.
The leaves are long, feathery and grey-green, with stiff, sharp spines near the base.
Male and female flowers grow on separate palms, in large, branched clusters.
The fruits hang in heavy bunches and pass through stages: crisp khalal, soft rutab and dried tamar.
Wild date palm, Phoenix sylvestris, is shorter and is tapped for sap rather than grown for fruit.
Traditional use of Pericham
Kitchen
Dates are eaten to break the fast during Ramadan, and used in sweets, chutneys and milkshakes.
South Asian and Middle Eastern food practice
Farming
Growers hand-pollinate female palms by tying sprigs of male flowers into the female clusters.
Gulf and Kutch farm practice
Kitchen
In Kutch fresh khalal dates are eaten crisp in summer.
Gujarati food practice
Modern notes on Pericham
Dried dates are about two-thirds sugar and supply fibre and potassium.
One male palm can pollinate dozens of females when pollen is applied by hand.
Seeds about 2,000 years old found at Masada in Israel have been germinated into living palms.
Pericham safety
Dates are a safe food. People with diabetes should count them as a high-sugar food. Check for stones before giving dates to small children.
Ecology and sourcing
It needs a long, hot, dry season to ripen fruit, with water at the roots.
Female palms produce fruit only when pollinated.
It tolerates salty soil better than most fruit trees.
Related plants
Also in Arecaceae
Questions about Pericham
Are Indian dates grown in India?
Mostly imported; Kutch grows fresh dates.
What is khalal?
The crisp, fresh stage of the date.
Is khejur gur from Pericham palm?
No. It comes from Phoenix sylvestris.
Why hand-pollinate?
Male and female flowers are on separate palms.
Are dates high in sugar?
Yes.
Sources
- Phoenix dactylifera L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q25292 (Phoenix dactylifera)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.