Desert Fan Palm
Washingtonia robusta

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A fan palm. It can be 40 m tall. The trunk is thinner than Washingtonia filifera. It is flared widely at the base. The trunk can be covered with dead leaves. The leaves are large and fan shaped. They are green on both surfaces. There are brown thorns on the leaf stalk. The base of the leaf has a red-brown sheath. Mature palms do not have threads on the leaf blades. The flowering stalk grows from among the leaves and extends beyond them. They are 2-3 m long. Flowers are pink. The fruit are round and black when ripe.

Where it is found

It does best in warm temperate to tropical places. It often grows near the sea in Mexico. It suits arid regions. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens. It suits plant hardiness zones 9-11. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Central America, Colombia, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mediterranean, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Pacific, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Tasmania, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The small seeds grow very easily.

Its other names

Local names

Mexican Fan palm, Palma abanico, Skyduster palm, Thread palm, Washington Palm

Synonyms

Neowashingtonia robusta (H. Wendl.) A. Heller; Neowashingtonia sonorae (S. Watson) Rose; Washingtonia filifera var. robusta Parish; Washingtonia gracilis Parish; Washingtonia sonorae S. Watson;