Practical
Plants

Chamaerops humilis

Dwarf Fan Palm

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Palmae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1.5 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Edible uses

Very young leaf buds are cooked as a vegetable[16][19][3][11]. The young shoots or suckers from the bottom of the plant are also used[12][11]. Fruit - dried[10][11]. No further details.

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

A strong fibre obtained from the leaves is used for cordage and brushes[16][19][20][2][9][14]. The whole leaf can be used in weaving. Plants have been used to form hedges in Mediterranean areas[15].

Product or use
Fibre

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Nutritionally poor, dry sandy or rocky soils on mountain slopes to 1000 metres[17][20][8][13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the old seed can be slow and difficult to germinate. Scarification or pre-soaking stored seed for 1 - 2 days can be helpful[6]. Sown in a warm greenhouse, the seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 months (but can take longer) at 25°c[6]. The seed produces a long root some time before a shoot appears above ground and it can be potted up at this time[7]. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for at least a couple of years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Suckers, removed in spring.

Cultivation

Easily grown in a rich strong loam enriched with leafmold and sand[1]. Plants grow in poor dry soils in the wild[13]. Requires very good drainage with abundant moisture in the summer and a sunny position[1][4]. Another report says that plants grow well in dry conditions and are drought tolerant[15]. Tolerates low light levels and can be grown in the home[13]. Requires a position sheltered from the wind and cold[8]. This species tolerates occasional short-lived lows down to about -10°c[13][14]. It will not tolerate recurring bouts of freezing over several days, nor does it survive freezing of the root system[14]. Plants are hardy in the milder areas of Britain, succeeding from S. Hampshire south and westwards[1][4][18]. Plants growing outdoors at Kew fruited in October 1989[K]. Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[14]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[14]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[14]. Another report says that this species dislikes root disturbance[5]. Some botanists recognise a sub-species C. humilis arborescens (Pers.)Steud. (a taller growing form) and a cultivar 'Nana' which is smaller than the type and suckers. It is likely that these are no more than phenotypes and that this variety of habit can be induced in cultivation, plants in stressful situations such as near the coast duplicating the 'Nana' form whilst plants in optimum conditions are more like sub-species arborescens[13]. Plants in the wild are usually found in poor soils and seldom exceed 1.5 metres tall. When grown in better soils in gardens, however, they can grow up to 5 metres tall[15].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  3. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  6. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  8. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  10. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  11. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  14. McMillan-Browse. P. Palms for Cooler Climates. Trebah Enterprises. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0 9521952 0 8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  18. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  20. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2

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