Canary date palm is endemic to the Canary Islands where it occurs in scattered populations of varying sizes on all seven islands, with the largest populations of wild palms being found on La Gomera. It is found from sea-level up to 600 m in a range of habitats, from humid areas just below cloud forest to semi-arid areas where its presence usually indicates groundwater. In Kampala, Canary date palm can be found within Makerere university, Kitante courts,along Yusuf Lule roadamong other places.

Canary date palm is single-trunked, pinnate palm to 20 m (66 feet) or taller; exceptionally tall specimens can be up to 40 m (120 feet). The trunk is 60 - 90 cm (2-3ft) in diameter, often with a much wider base. It has a husk-like stem consisting of wide, emerald green leaf bases partly covered with brown, fibrous hair.

BARK: dull brown, marked with broad, diamond-shaped leaf base scars.

LEAVES: deep green to 5m in length, pinnately divided into many linear leaflets; has long, extremely sharp spines at the bases of the leaves, which are formed from modified leaflets. 

FLOWERS: drooping panicles of creamy-yellow on brush-like stalks up to 2m (6 feet) long.

FRUITS: obovoid, 1.5 - 2.0 x about 1.2 cm, reddish-yellow about 2cm (0.8 inch) across that is attractive to birds. The fruit contain a single large seed.        

An ornamental tree

Edible: fruit pulp when ripe can be eaten.

Agroforestry: leaves are source of fodder to animals especially the cattle, used in making cheese or patacones (package for fish), folioles can be used in establishing fences or vineyards.

The folioles stripped from the pencas chosen and plaited are used in manufacturing household goods like making mats and screens, hat making and brooms.

The palm heart can be worked on and plaited to be used on palm Sunday and other religious celebrations.

The folioles can be used in constructions like in the building of roofs by holding the tiles, nailed or tied to the "ticeras".

Can be used as a fuel.

The fiber from the roots are used for making ropes.

The palm produces sap which is used as a refreshment, and can be mixed with alcohol.