Washingtonia filifera

Washingtonia filifera in Palm Canyon, California

The California Washington Palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), also Filamentous Washing Tonie is a native North American species of palm. She is a fan palm Often planted in subtropical areas.

Features

The stem is up to 18 m high and reaches a diameter of 90 to 120 cm. The base is swollen. The trunk is gray and in the older area of ​​narrow cracked, otherwise brown to reddish brown. The trunk is surrounded below the crown of a dress made of dead leaves that sometimes the whole stem length covered, something like a (priest ) rock looks. Hence comes the name " Petticoat Palm " or priest palm. In ornamental plants these leaves are frequently removed.

The leaves are 1.8 to 2.4 m wide, fan-shaped and of a yellowish-green to silver or gray - greenish color. The petiole is 1.8 m long and reinforced the edge with sharp teeth. The leaf blade is usually divided up over half into segments. The segments are hanging at the top. Between the segments are whitish filaments. Of these threads, the Art- epithet filifera stems, which means " the threads bearing ".

The inflorescences are between the blades and tower over this clearly. The flowers are unisexual and whitish. The fruits are dark brown to black. The fruits are hanging well below the crown.

Dissemination and locations

The species is in California, home to the west of Arizona and northeastern Baja California. It grows along streams and arroyos here, as well as sources.

Use

The species is a popular ornamental plant. It is located in arid regions cold hardy in USDA climate zones 7 to 11, it is more suitable for Mediterranean climate than for humid tropical conditions.

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