Trachycarpus fortunei (Hooker) Wendland – Family Arecaceae

General Characteristics

An evergreen palm tree reaching up to 10 meters in height, with an upright trunk covered by the remains of leaf sheaths.

The leaves are palmate, leathery, up to 1 meter wide, and divided into 20-40 linear segments.

The male and female flowers are in separate inflorescences on the same individual, forming yellowish pendulous panicles.

The fruits are round blue berries.

USES

Trachycarpus is resistant to harsh winter conditions and is used as an ornamental species in parks and gardens.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A wild species native to the mountains north of India and China.