Date Fruits Health Benefits And The Nutritional Facts. Brief History Of Dates Fruits And The Nutritional Facts, More Reason You Should Eat Date (Phonix-dactylifera). Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from lands around Iraq. The species is widely cultivated and is naturalized in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Date trees typically reach about 21-23 metres (69-75 ft) in height, growing singly or forming a clump with several stems from a single root system. The leaves are 4-6 metres (13-20 ft) long, with spines on the petiole, and pinnate, with about 150 leaflets. The leaflets are 30 cm (12 in) long and 2 cm (0.79 in) wide. The full span of the crown ranges from 6-10 m (20-33 ft). Dates (Phoenix dactylifera), medjool, Nutritive Value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base) Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA Energy 277 Kcal 14% Carbohydrates 74.97 g 58% Protein 1.81g 3% Total Fat 0.15 g <1% Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Dietary Fiber 6.7 g 18% Vitamins Folates 15 µg 4% Niacin 1.610 mg 10% Pantothenic acid 0.805 mg 16% Pyridoxine 0.249 mg 19% Riboflavin 0.060 mg 4.5% Thiamin 0.050 mg 4% Vitamin A 149 IU 5% Vitamin C 0 mg 0% Vitamin K 2.7 µg 2% Electrolytes Sodium 1 mg 0% Potassium 696 mg 16% Minerals Calcium 64 mg 6.5% Copper 0.362 mg 40% Iron 0.90 mg 11% Magnesium 54 mg 13% Manganese 0.296 mg 13% Phosphorus 62 mg 9% Zinc 0.44 mg 4% Phyto-nutrients Carotene-ß 89 µg -- Crypto-xanthin-ß 0 µg -- Lutein-zeaxanthin 23 µg --