Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm)

Photographs

My photos:

This is part of the oasis at the end of the Palm Canyon Trail at Anza Borrego State Park.

Here is a single palm at the start of the trail.

More photos:

Photos from another oasis.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Arecaceae

In the garden:

This is a columnar tree, from 30 to 80 feet high. The unbranched trunk is up to 3 feet thick and is commonly clothed with a dense thatch of dead, drooping leaves, which may be burned away. The large leaves are gray-green, heavy, and fibrous, with numerous folds. Flowers are whitish and appear in June. Tolerant of desert heat and some drought, but will thrive with moisture in a well drained soil. Hardy to around 18 o F. Young trees can be used in containers. It serves well as a street or parkway planting, in groves, or in large gardens, either singly or grouped.

In the wild:

This is the only native fan palm in the Western United States. It is the largest of the true desert palms. It can survive in fresh and alkaline water areas where the water table is high. Found in groves in moist alkaline spots neer seeps, springs, and streams, below 3000 feet. Most United States populations occur within the Colorado Desert along the San Andreas Fault. Due to its value as an indicator species, all known communities have been mapped (California palm is sensitive to any change in water level; either a lowering of water tables or the innundation of root systems may kill plants). Many animals live in close association with California palm.

Ethnobotany:

Kamia and Cahuilla native people selected California palm oases for village sites. The oases provided sources of water, food, and shade. California palm vegetative buds, flowers, and fruits were utilized as food. The fruits, resembling commercial dates in taste, were eaten fresh or dried; some dried fruit was made into meal. Leaves were used as thatching. Sandals, clothing, and baskets were fashioned from leaf fibers. Spoons and hunting bows were made from the petioles. The wood was used for kindling. Because of historical use by native people, California palm oases are important archeological sites

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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