Washingtonia robusta

Inflorescence of Washingtonia robusta

The Mexican Washington palm ( Washingtonia robusta ) is a species of palm native to Mexico.

Features

The stem is up to 27 m height in old specimens, significantly higher than in the related Washingtonia filifera, he is also slimmer. The leaves are characterized by less threads from between the segments and the leaf sheaths. At the base of the leaves is often a reddish- brown stain that never occurs in W. filifera. The petiole is shorter, especially in young plants reddish- brown, and always wears a reddish- brown spines.

The older parts of the stem are gray, the younger areas are covered by chestnut red to brown leaf sheaths. These sheaths are usually removed in cultivated palms. The leaves are light to dark green.

Dissemination and locations

The species is endemic to Mexico: it occurs only in the southern part of the Baja California peninsula and a small area of the state of Sonora. It grows here along streams and " arroyos ", as well as sources.

Use

The Mexican Washington palm is one of the most elegant landscape elements of the subtropics. They are characterized by their narrow and very high strain. It is the most commonly planted palm in southern California, southern Texas, Phoenix and Tucson. It is cold- sensitive than their sister species and hardy only in USDA climate zones 9b to 11. It requires full sunlight.

In culture, Washingtonia filifera hybrids are common, connect the cold resistance of Washingtonia filifera with the elegance of Washingtonia robusta. They are known as Washingtonia filibusta.