Washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm)
Mexican fan palm named after George Washington. Reaches 25–30 m in the wild; one of the most recognizable species in landscaping in warm regions.
Origin and family
Washingtonia robusta is a palm species in the family Arecaceae, subfamily Coryphoideae. Native to northwestern Mexico (including Baja California); in the wild it grows in canyons and near water. Widely cultivated as an ornamental palm in subtropics and tropics worldwide.
Named after George Washington
The genus Washingtonia is named after the first US president, George Washington. The specific epithet robusta («strong», «sturdy») highlights the tall, slender trunk and large fan-shaped leaves. In English-speaking countries the species is often called Mexican fan palm.
Height and appearance
In the wild Washingtonia robusta can reach 25–30 m. The trunk is slender for its height; on older trees the lower part shows remains of dead leaf petioles. The crown is a cluster of fan-shaped, dissected leaves on long petioles with spines along the edge. In cultivation the palm grows quickly and gives a characteristic «southern» silhouette, so it is often planted along boulevards and on the coast.
In the botanical garden
In collections Washingtonia robusta is valued for its drought, salt and wind tolerance. It needs sun and well-drained soil; in conditions close to natural it forms tall, slender trunks and acts as a landscape dominant. The related Washingtonia filifera (W. filifera), whose leaves keep a «beard» of fibres, is often planted nearby.
Quick Answer
Washingtonia robusta is a Mexican fan palm in the family Arecaceae; the genus is named after George Washington. Reaches 25–30 m in the wild and is widely used in landscaping.