Chamaerops humilis

European Fan Palm

Family: Arecaceae
Zone: 8-10                                   Average Size: 5' H x 6' W

Identification:

-Clumping form, shrub-like, multiple stems
-Fan shape leaf, palmate, 2-3 feet wide, sharp spines on petiole
-Fiber and persistent petiole base present on short stems
-Inconspicuous flower stalk and fruit hidden under foliage

Note:   The only palm native to Europe, the European Fan Palm thrives in the full sun and well drained soils of the Mediterranean.  This clumping palm produces many suckers from the base forming a dense low mound.  In the landscape European Date Palm may be used as a small shrub with course texture and interesting color. Specimens in front of David Boyd Hall were ruthlessly pruned in recent years, removing suckers and leaving a couple older trunks.  They lost a lot of their form and character, but these long lived palms are slowly recovering.   

Campus Location: David Boyd Hall, east entrance