James H. Schutte
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
Washingtonia filifera
Plant Common Name
Cotton Palm, Desert Fan Palm, Washington Palm
General Description
Desert fan palms are sturdy, solitary and native to southern California, western Arizona and northwestern Mexico. The large, gray-green leaves are costapalmate which means they have a fish hook shape in the middle of a roundish blade, divided to the middle into many segments that bend and are split with long threads or fibers in between. The leaves are connected to the trunk with green petioles or stems and are armed with wicked green, hooked teeth, younger leaves may lack teeth. Old leaves are persistent and hang down to form dense skirts. The trunks of desert fan palms are brown, fissured and not swollen at the base. The flower stalks are very long, branched and hang down above and between the leaves. Individual flowers are white and the oval fruit is slightly wrinkled and brown-black. The desert fan palm has more fibers on the leaves and is shorter and heavier in the trunk than the Mexican fan palm, however, they do naturally hybridize and it can be difficult to identify individual specimens.
Desert fan palms are not picky about soil as long as it is well drained; too much water can lead to trunk and butt rots. They are very drought and cold tolerant once established. These palms do respond with faster growth to applications of water and fertilizer. Good uses for desert fan palms due to their size include street trees, parks and around commercial buildings.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
-
Height
30'-60' / 9.1m - 18.3m
-
Width
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
-
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
-
Native To
Southwestern United States, California, Mexico
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
-
Habit
Upright/Erect
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White, Yellow, Tan
-
Fruit Color
Brown, Black
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green
-
Bark Color
Brown, Gray
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Bold
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
Yes
