Chinese Windmill palm, Fortune's chusan-palm
Trachycarpus fortunei

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A fan palm. It has a slender trunk. It grows 9-15 m tall and spreads 2.5-3 m wide. The leaves are fan shaped. The leaves are mid green and 1 m long by 1 m wide. They are pleated and split at the ends. This gives a jagged tooth-like appearance. The leaf stalks are sharply toothed and 1 m long. These arch out from the top of an upright stem. The trunk is covered with the remains of the dead leaves. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The flowers are small and yellow. They occur in large dense clusters that can be 60 cm long. The fruit are small and blue-black and date-like. They are 1 cm long and kidney shaped.

There are 6-8 Trachycarpus species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It is native to C. & S. China. It can tolerate cold. They can tolerate temperatures as low as -15°C. It is very difficult to grow in the tropics. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Germany, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Mediterranean, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers are edible. The young flower buds are eaten like bamboo shoots. They are also marinated in honey and vinegar. The terminal bud is eaten. A tea drink made from the seeds is used to make blood pressure normal.

Edible parts

Flowers, cabbage, palm heart, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily. Plants grow alone rarely produce seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chusan Palm, Palem kincir angin, Visoka žumara

Synonyms

Trachycarpus excelsus Wendl.; Chamaerops excelsa; Chamaerops fortunei Hook.;