Trachycarpus martianus
Family: Arecaceae or Palmae
What it is like
Trachycarpus martianus is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 12
Where it is found
Found at elevations to 2,400 metres, often on limestone soils.
E. Asia - Himalayas from Nepal to S.W. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit- raw or cooked The flesh is scanty and almost tasteless. The following notes are for the closely related T. fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species. Young flower buds - cooked. Used like bamboo shoots. The fresh flowers and terminal bud are also apparently consumed.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The following notes are for the closely related T. fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species. The flowers and the seed are astringent and haemostatic. The root or the fruit is decocted as a contraceptive. The ashes from the silky hairs of the plant are haemostatic. Mixed with boiling water they are used in the treatment of haemopytsis, nose bleeds, haematemesis, blood in stools, metrorrhagia, gonorrhoea and other venereal diseases.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Other
Rating:
The following notes are for the closely related T. fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species. The fibres from within the leafstalk are used for making brushes, ropes, coarse cloth etc. A matting is made from the bark admixed with some of the stem fibres. The leaves are woven into hats, rough coats and fans.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.
How it is grown
Requires a rich moist but well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position, especially from the cold drying winds of the north and east. Individual leaves live for about 3 years and, if they are damaged by wind will make the plant look very shabby as well as reducing its potential for photosynthesis. Hardy in the southern part of Britain, tolerating frosts down to between -5 and -10°c if the plant is sheltered from cold winds. Young plants require protection during winter. Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help. Very closely related to T. fortunei, one of the main differences being that, unlike T. fortunei, the fibres from the leaf stalks do not persist on this species. The plant is also slower growing, though it is eventually much taller than T. fortunei. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Scarify or pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water then sow in a cold frame in mid to late winter. Bring into the greenhouse about 4 - 6 weeks later and the seed should germinate in about 4 - 8 weeks at 25°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Pot up suckers in late spring and plant out in their permanent position 12 months later.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist