California fan palm
Washingtonia filifera

Family: Liliaceae.

Type: Woody tree-like plant.

Leaves: Large fan-shaped leaves. New leaves are folded and single; the wind shreds the leaves into fingerlike leaflets. Petiole margins have teeth. Dead leaves normally stay attached, forming a skirt that provides a habitat for desert animals, as well as shading the stem to prevent water loss. This skirt is normally trimmed in trees cultivated in urban areas.

Miscellaneous: This is California's only native palm; the palm commonly planted along streets is a non-native relative. Its habitat is riparian areas in southern California deserts.





All photos and text ©2008 Ben Haller. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these photos for any non-commercial or non-profit use as long as this original copyright notice is retained.