Difference between revisions of "Chamaerops humilis"

Revision as of 19:12, 3 November 2009

Chamaerops humilis
Scientific Classification
Genus: Chamaerops Species: humilis
Synonyms
Phoenix humilis
Native Continent
Europe
Morphology
Habit: Clumping Leaf type: Fan Height: 5-10 ft/1.5 - 3m
Culture
Sun exposure: Full sun Soil type: Well drained
Survivability index
Common names
European Fan Palm, Hair Palm, Mediterranean Fan Palm

[[Image:Eur fan dstrick7.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Bushy Juvenile - Athens, Georgia, USA]

Habitat and Distribution

Native to southern Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, and Yugoslavia, plus various Mediterranean islands.

Description

Trunk type: Clustering. Hight: 1.5 meters, (5') to 6 meters, (20'). Leaf detail: Palmately compound, with fingered leaflets, leaves reach nearly a meter (3 feet) across, and have a heavily armed petiole. Very similar to the standard C. humilis , except that it has silvery-blue waxy leaves like those of Brahea armata. Maybe just a bit less cold hardy than Trachycarpus, and certainly more likely to grow back if frozen to the ground. Probably can tolerate 5-7F. Not sure if C. cerifera form is any more or less hardy, but grows a lot slower. Tolerates high humidity, but may not look its best. It usually has a clumping habit.

Culture

Best in Mediterranean climates like Italy, Southern California, Chile, Western Australia and Cape Town, South Africa. Cool winters, with plenty of rain (or, not) and hot, dry summers are the best home for these palms. Will take drought to end drought, but happiest with regular, if infrequent water.

Curiosities

Fullerton Arboretum, California

Flowers

California

Huntington Gardens, California

Fruit

Bizarre leaf form

Can get very old, over time, as its various stems can be cut back, or cut down from a freeze, and grow back from the base.