| Name |
Chamaerops
Humilis - Dwarf Fan Palm, Mediterranean Fan Palm, European Fan Palm |
| Cultivation |
Easily
grown in a rich strong loam enriched with leafmold and sand. Plants grow
in poor dry soils in the wild. Requires very good drainage with abundant
moisture in the summer and a sunny position. Another report says that
plants grow well in dry conditions and are drought tolerant. Tolerates
low light levels and can be grown in the home. Requires a position sheltered
from the wind and cold.
This species tolerates occasional
short-lived lows down to about -10°c. It will not tolerate recurring
bouts of freezing over several days, nor does it survive freezing of the
root system. Plants are hardy in the milder areas of Britain, succeeding
from S. Hampshire south and westwards. Plants growing outdoors at Kew
fruited in October 1989.
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. 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. 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.
Another report says that this species dislikes root disturbance.
|
| Family |
|
| Genus |
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. |
| Synonyms |
C.
humilis var. elegans
Other Common Names: Dwarf Fan Palm, European Fan Palm, Palmito
Humilis = low growing |
| Known
Hazards |
None
known |
| Range |
Europe
- Mediterranean & Spain |
| Height |
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. |
| Habitat |
Nutritionally
poor, dry sandy or rocky soils on mountain slopes to 1000 metres
Woodland, Sunny Edge.
|
| Characteristics |
An
evergreen tree growing to 1.5m by 1.5m at a slow rate. It is in leaf all
year, in flower from April to June. The flowers are monoecious (individual
flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the
same plant).
The plant prefers
light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and
can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and
basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or
no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
|
| Edible
Uses |
Fruit;
Leaves.
Very young leaf buds
are cooked as a vegetable. The young shoots or suckers from the bottom
of the plant are also used.
|
| Medicinal
Uses |
|
| Other
Uses |
Fibre;
Hedge.
A strong fibre obtained
from the leaves is used for cordage and brushes. The whole leaf can be
used in weaving. Plants have been used to form hedges in Mediterranean
areas.
|
| Propagation |
European fan palm is usually propagated from seed. It can also be propagated
by dividing clumps or removing suckers, methods that require superhuman
effort.
|
| Cultivars |
There
are a few named forms, selected for their ornamental value. Since we know
of no forms that have been selected for their useful properties, we have
not listed any cultivars here and in general, unless you require the specific
ornamental properties of a cultivar, we recommend you grow the species rather
than any cultivars. |