Chamaerops humilis

Common names

Mediterranean Fan Palm, European Fan Palm.

Curiosities

This is the palm that grows northern in the planet. Leaves were used to make baskets, mats and brooms, and roots to make a drink.  The fruits, with a slightly unpleasant smell, are called in catalan “pa d’aguineu”, fox’s bread, since foxes love these fruits and disseminate seeds with faeces. In cliffs with a difficult access the seeds are disseminated by big birds. Romans believed that these fruits were aphrodisiac, but the only sure is that they are really astringent, since they contain lots of tannins.

Origin

Mediterranean region, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, Italia and Spain, and long ago in South France.

Habitat

Warm coastal areas, although in the Guadalquivir can be found more inland. Can be often seen in limestone rocky cliffs or low hills.

Morphology

Several slender trunks and palmate leaves (not costapalmate), although the variety ‘elatior’ produces a single trunk. The trunks are usually covered with the persistent leaf petioles and sheaths. A compact crown. The fruits are usually reddish-yellow or brown, look like grapes, have a very irregular size and an unpleasant taste.

Climate

Temperate, subtropical. This plant has tolerated temperatures down to –9.4ºC (15.1ºF, USDA Zone 8b).

Germination

Seed germination may take 2 to 3 months, or sometimes more.

Growing

A cold-hardy palm, especially the varieties cerifera (the blue palm of Mount Atlas) and microcarpa, which can be found in the Garraf only some kilometres south of Barcelona. Likes sun and well-drained soil.