California fan palm
ExploreTrees
California fan palm
Washingtonia filifera
The California fan palm is a tall tree with big, fan-shaped leaves. It grows in warm places and can live for many years, providing shade and beauty to its surroundings.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The California fan palm has a single, stout trunk topped by a crown of large, stiff, fan-shaped green leaves. Often, a shaggy 'skirt' of dead, brown leaves hangs below the living canopy. Its trunk is thick and gray-brown.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderArecalesFamilyArecaceaeGenusWashingtonia
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people ate its sweet, date-like fruit and seeds for thousands of years.
Its 'hula skirt' of dead leaves can sometimes reach the ground, providing shelter for animals!
Its giant fan leaves can be wider than a person's arms spread out wide!
Some wild palms in California have lived for over 200 years, older than many countries!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire-Resistant Skirt
The California fan palm has a dense skirt of dead leaves that can help protect its trunk from moderate fires, aiding survival.
Ability
Deep Water Roots
California fan palms can grow long taproots to reach deep underground water sources, helping them survive in dry deserts.
Ability
Desert Oasis Creator
California fan palm provides critical shade and food in arid regions, creating mini-oases for numerous desert animals.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 3-6 m
- Edible
- Yes
- Trunk Diameter
- 80-120 cm
- Lifespan
- 80-250 years
- Fruit Type
- Small, black drupe
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
Ecological connections
eats
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
eats the palm's small fruits
eats
Coyote
Canis latrans
disperses seeds by eating fruit
shelters
Western Meadowlark
Sturnella neglecta
nests within its dense canopy
eats
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
consumes fallen palm fruits
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Timber
Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Be careful around palm trees; their fronds can be sharp if they fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is California fan palm?
15-30 m
How wide does California fan palm spread?
3-6 m
Is California fan palm edible?
Yes
How big is California fan palm?
80-120 cm
How long does California fan palm live?
80-250 years
Where is California fan palm usually found?
Desert
What kind of fruit does California fan palm produce?
Small, black drupe
How fast does California fan palm grow?
Medium
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