Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) profile

Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta H. Wendl.) is a genus of sunflower in the palm family. Mexican fan palm is 18 -- 27 m high. The trunk is enlarged at the base and pale brown when the dead leaves are not covered, with distinct annular leaf marks and inconspicuous longitudinal cracks. Mexican fan palm is native to northwestern Mexico. Introduced cultivation in the south of China, Mexican fan palm is often cultivated together with silk sunflowers. The leaves of this species can be used for roofing, weaving baskets, etc. The fruit and terminal bud are edible.

Mexican fan palm picture

Morphological characteristics of Mexican fan palm

Mexican fan palm is 18 -- 27 m high, swollen at the base of the trunk, pale brown if covered dead leaves are removed, with prominent annular leaf marks and inconspicuous longitudinal cracks. Leaf bases are crisscrossed. Leaf blade is 1 -- 1.5 m in diameter, about 60 -- 70 lobes, lobed to the base 2/3, lower margin with exfoliated villi, young tree lobes margin with filamentous fibers, disappearing with age; Petiole of Mexican fan palm is stout, erect until old age, 1 -- 1.5 m long, 10 -- 12.7 cm wide at base, concave above, margin thin, with stout hook spines, petiole acuminate to leaf blade; Halberd paper acuminate, lacerated, 2-5 cm long. Inflorescences of Mexican fan palm are large, longer than leaves, pendulous, with 5-6 large branched inflorescences, each branched with 2-5 cyme panicles, set off by lingual papery buddha-like bracts; Floret branches of Mexican fan palm are 8.5-10 cm long, ca. 1 mm in diam., curved, glabrous, angular, flowers solitary, irregular.Buds 11 mm long and 2.5 mm wide; Calyx is campanulate, cleft into 3 slightly ovate lobes, margin with irregular ciliate lobes; Corolla of Mexican fan palm is longer than calyx, lobed to proximal 1/3 lanceolate acuminate lobes; Stamens are 2-wheeled, equal and as long as petals, 3 stamens opposite petals with stout filaments, filaments apically subulate, 3 stamens cylindrical, anthers large, 5 mm long, linear arrowhead shaped, apex 2-lobed; Ovary of Mexican fan palm is gyroscopic, stigma 3 short lobes. Fruit is elliptic, ca. 10 mm long, ca. 8.5 mm in diam., light black, apically with persistent setose styles. Seeds of Mexican fan palm are ovoid, 6-7 mm long, about 5 mm in diameter, ridge slightly umbilicus concave, endosperm uniform, embryo basal.  

The ecological habits of Mexican fan palm

Mexican fan palm heat resistance and cold resistance are strong. Adult trees can tolerate temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius and -12 degrees Celsius. According to strong positive, seedlings can tolerate 50 percent shade. Adults will stop growing if Mexican fan palms don't get enough light. Mexican fan palm wind resistance is strong, the soil quality requirements are not strict, salt resistance capacity is medium, but with good permeability sandy soil for the choice, avoid water. 

Mexican Fan Palm's distribution area

Mexican fan palm is native to northwestern Mexico. Introduced cultivation in the south of China, Mexican fan palm us often cultivated together with silk sunflowers.

Mexican fan palm propagation 

Sowing propagation. The seeds are mature in autumn, weighing 300 to 350 grams per thousand seeds. They are first dispersed and then transplanted. Sowing substrate was prepared with sand, coconut bran and a small amount of soil in a certain proportion.

Mexican fan palm growing methods

After 4 to 6 leaves, the seedlings of Mexican fan palm can be transplanted into the field. Planting land should choose a deep soil layer, fertile, good drainage plot. Plant spacing is 1.5×1.5 meters. Pay attention to water management after transplanting. The rainy season should be timely drainage, avoid water, growth season monthly topdressing compound fertilizer once, after 2--3 years of cultivation, can grow into 25--35 cm of green seedlings, seedlings should pay attention to prevent leaf spot, before the onset of regular spray Bordeaux liquid or inhalation fungicide. 

Mexican fan palm main value

Mexican fan palm has been documented that the leaves of this species can be used for roofing and weaving baskets. The petioles can be made into toothpicks, and the fruit and top buds can be eaten. In parks, squares, riverside and other broad areas, planting alone or in groups, to create a beautiful tropical and subtropical scenery. The beautiful landscape of Washington sunflower will give drivers a pleasant visual enjoyment, enough to eliminate travel fatigue. In addition to being used as road greening tree species, Mexican fan palm is widely used as landscape tree, street tree, or decorate in the overpass side, villa hotel. The leaf skirt of the adult Washington sunflower is more than 10 meters long, which can give people a sense of enduring vicissitudes and evergreen.