Family: Arecaceae
Author: (Rafarin) H.Wendl. ex de Bary
Bibliography: Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 37: LXI (1879)
Year: 1879
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Washingtonia
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. California to SW. Arizona and Mexico (N. Baja California)
Description
The California fan palm, known scientifically as Washingtonia filifera, is a resilient and iconic palm native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives predominantly in the arid landscapes of Southern California, Southwestern Arizona, and Northern Baja California in Mexico, where it can be seen dotting the desert landscapes, oases, and riparian zones.
Belonging to the family Arecaceae, this majestic palm is well-adapted to the harsh conditions of its native habitat. Its towering trunk, crowned with a canopy of fan-shaped leaves, provides a striking silhouette against the sky and serves as an important ecological component for the region. The leaves, which can grow up to 5 feet wide, not only give the tree its common name but also offer habitat and food sources for various wildlife species.
Washingtonia filifera has experienced various nomenclatural changes before arriving at its current classification. The detailed botanical description was first recorded in 1879 in the Bot. Zeitung (Berlin). The species was authoritatively classified by the collaborative efforts of the renowned botanists, first by Rafarin and later by H.Wendl. and de Bary.
The California fan palm has immense cultural and ecological significance. Indigenous tribes have historically used its leaves for weaving and making shelters, while the tree’s location often signifies the presence of water, a crucial element in its arid surroundings.
This palm’s remarkable ability to withstand intense heat, poor soil, and limited water supplies makes it a powerful symbol of endurance and adaptability in harsh environments. As urban areas encroach increasingly into its native range, efforts to conserve this species continue, ensuring that the California fan palm remains a sentinel of the southwestern desert landscape.
Common Names
Eng: california fan palm, desert palm
Spa: washingtonia de castilla
En: California fan palm, Desert Palm, California Fan-palm, Petticoatpalm
Ca: Palmera filosa
Fr: Palmier à jupons, Palmier de Californie
Es: Washingtonia de Castilla
Synonyms
- Brahea dulcis (J.G.Cooper)
- Washingtonia filifera var. typica (M.E.Jones)
- Pritchardia filamentosa (H.Wendl. ex Franceschi)
- Neowashingtonia filamentosa ((H.Wendl. ex Franceschi) Sudw.)
- Brahea filamentosa (H.Wendl.)
- Neowashingtonia filifera ((Rafarin) Sudw.)
- Brahea filifera ((Rafarin) W.Watson)
- Washingtonia filamentosa ((H.Wendl. ex Franceschi) Kuntze)
- Pritchardia filifera (Rafarin)
- Washingtonia filifera var. microsperma (Becc.)
- Livistona filamentosa ((H.Wendl. ex Franceschi) R.Pfister)
Distribution
- Arizona (native)
- California (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- East Aegean Is. (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Sicilia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken May 13, 2019 by Fernando Ruiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2018 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2020 by Shawki Daou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Virginie Michelin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 16, 2020 by Sanook life (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2018 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2019 by gbb prototype (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2018 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Mar 22, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 9, 2013 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2019 by henri ruelle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Virginie Michelin (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Ines Guilbaud (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Luis Ruiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Luis Ruiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 31, 2020 by de la barrera fernandez maria del pilar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2019 by Sel Sel (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 31, 2021 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 8, 2021 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Radomił Binek (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 23, 2022 by Oswaldo Solano (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 21, 2021 by morad bellal (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5294589)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:267788-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Washingtonia filifera (Linden ex André) H.Wendl. ex de Bary)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree