Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm

Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.

trake-ee-CARP-us for-TUNE-ee-eye

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Trachycarpus means rough fruit. Robert Fortune (1812-1880) was a botanist prominent in Asian botany.

Natural range: Asia

Recognition: Dioecious mid sized palms with the trunks matted with fibers when young.  Petioles finely serrate.  Leaf blades usually round, flat and stiff (tips may droop), silvery beneath.

Landscape uses: This species is notable for its cold tolerance, and is used more to the north of our area.  In fact, CHR discourages using it in South Florida, and notes that plants sold under the name are highly variable, and may not all belong to the same species.  Old leaves tend to remain in place on the trunk.  Seeds germinate readily.