Arecaceae FAMILY Near Threatened

Washingtonia filifera

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Washingtonia filifera is an evergreen palm tree producing a single, unbranched stem that can be 100 - 150cm in diameter. The stem is topped by a crown of fan-shaped leaves 100 - 200cm wide on petioles 100 - 200cm long; the tree can grow up to 20 metres tall[ 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is commonly grown as an ornamental in gardens. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - southern California, western Arizona, northwest Mexico (Baja California).

HabitatOften forming pure stands, growing in extensive groves or small isolated clumps in moist alkaline spots in rocky canyons about seeps, springs and streams; at elevations below 1,500 metres[ 71 Title A California Flora. Publication Author Munz P.A. & Keck D.D. Publisher University of California Press; Los Angeles Year 1959 ISBN - Description An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader. , 82 Title Manual of the Trees of N. America. Publication Author Sargent. C. S. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher Dover Publications Inc. New York. Year 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X Description Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet. , 166 Title The Milder Garden. Publication Author Taylor. J. Publisher Dent Year 1990 ISBN Description A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain. , 277 Title Plants Database Publication Author Website http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet Publisher United States Department of Agriculture Year 0 ISBN Description An online database with an excellent collection of fact sheets about native N. American plants. ].