Washingtonia filifera

Common names

California Fan Palm, Desert Palm.

Curiosities

Cahuilla Indians obtained from this palm shade, freshness, and materials to make the roof and the walls of their huts, arrows, baskets, fire-lighting objects, and different other tools like shovels and spoons. They ate the fruits fresh or sun-dried, and used them to make jam and tea.

Origin

South California and Southeast of Arizona and Sonora and Lower California (Mexico).

Habitat

Grows in arid and even desert areas.

Morphology

A smooth, single trunk with vertical fissures sometimes covered with a thin layer of dead leaves. Fan-shaped leaves, with thread-like fibres between the segments. Inflorescence growing among the leaves, long and arched. Fruits small and round.

Climate

Temperate, tropical. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –12.3ºC (9.8ºF, USDA Zone 7b).

Germination

The small seeds germinate easily, in only some weeks to 4 months, and retain their germination potential for a long time, maybe for some years.

Growing

Drought and cold resistant. Prefers full sun. Needs indirect bright light as inside plant. Very fast growing. The Washingtonia genus is one of the most cultivated.