Washingtonia robusta

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Figure 1. W. robusta leaf close-up.

Common Names:

Washington Palm,
Skyduster,
Mexican Fan Palm

Distribution:

Desert and semi-arid areas, especially gorges and canyons, often near water in north-western Mexico and Baja California.

Description:

A tall, solitary fan palm to about 20m with persistant leaf bases. The leaves are bright green, with cotton like threads on young leaves, and dark drown, heavily armed, shiny leaf bases.

General:

A very common plant in cultivation, tho not really suited for suburban gardens, due to the heavily armed leaf bases.

Culture:

Sunny, well drained position. Very hardy; drought and frost tolerant.

Figure 2. W. robusta trunk detail

Figure 3. W. robusta

Figure 4. W. robusta

Figure 5. W. robusta trunk detail.

Contributed by:

Mike Gray (Figures 1,2,3&4).
Jeff (Figure 5)

External Links:

Kew, PalmWeb, JSTOR, Trebrown

Google, Google Images, Flickr, PACSOA Forums, PalmTalk