Difference between revisions of "Washingtonia robusta"

Revision as of 09:11, 22 July 2014

Pronunciation: wash-ing-TOE-nee-uh roe-BUST-uh

Common Name: Mexican Fan Palm, Feather Duster Palm

Washingtonia robusta is probably the most commonly grown palm in the US and one of the most recognizable palms in the world.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary
Height: 100 feet
Trunk: partial or complete retained dead leaf petticoat except in very old palms usually clean (in cultivation usually pruned clean or closely thatched); 16"-24" thick, grey (reddish when recently pruned); often leaning toward the west when very tall
Spread: 6'-8'
Leaf Shape: palmate
Petiole: long (about equal to rachis) and heavily armed with large, very sharp teeth
Foliage: deep, somewhat shiny green, stiff as young palm, but leaflets developing characteristic droopiness with age; some cottony fibers
Reproduction: monoecious and 'rampant'
Inflorescence: long, arching, dark brown
Fruit: spherical dark brown; 1cm
Seed: 4-5mm spherical black

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 20F, though moderate leaf burn at 25F
Drought Tolerance: very high
Dry Heat Tolerance: very high
Wind Tolerance: very high
Salt Tolerance: good
Growth Rate: very fast (fastest palm in California and one of the fastest in the world)
Soil Preference: extremely tolerant of a wide range of soil types
Light Requirement: full sun, though can grow well in deep shade for years
Human Hazards: falling leaves in winds dangerous to both pedestrians and cars; profuse seed production makes sidewalks slippery; petiolar teeth make pruning hazardous; dead petticoats are fire hazard and hiding place for vermin
Disease or Horticultural Problems: few
Indoor?: performs moderately well if bright light available, but a dangerous indoor palm

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 *'''Habit''': solitary
 *'''Height''': 100 feet
-*'''Trunk''': partial or complete retained dead leaf petticoat, though in cultivation usually pruned clean or closely thatched; 16"-24" thick, grey (reddish when recently pruned); often leaning toward the west when very tall
+*'''Trunk''': partial or complete retained dead leaf petticoat except in very old palms usually clean (in cultivation usually pruned clean or closely thatched); 16"-24" thick, grey (reddish when recently pruned); often leaning toward the west when very tall
 *'''Spread''': 6'-8'
 *'''Leaf Shape''': palmate
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 *'''Soil Preference''': extremely tolerant of a wide range of soil types
 *'''Light Requirement''': full sun, though can grow well in deep shade for years
-*'''Human Hazards''': falling leaves in winds dangerous to both pedestrians and cars; profuse seed production makes sidewalks slippery; petiolar teeth make pruning hazardous
+*'''Human Hazards''': falling leaves in winds dangerous to both pedestrians and cars; profuse seed production makes sidewalks slippery; petiolar teeth make pruning hazardous; dead petticoats are fire hazard and hiding place for vermin
 *'''Disease or Horticultural Problems''': few
 *'''Indoor?''': performs moderately well if bright light available, but a dangerous indoor palm