Family: Arecaceae
Common Name: Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm

These six species of ornamental, mostly single-stemmed fan palms are indigenous to China and the Ilimalayas. One species, T. fortunei, is quite rare amongst palms in that it can be grown in cooler climates. The trunks are gener­ally clothed in rough fiber and their large, fan-shaped leaves, borne on reasonably short stalks, are deeply divided into segments. Recurved inflorescences, comprising small yellowish flowers, are followed by dark blue berries.

Species

T. fortunei, Chusan palm or Chinese windmill palm, probably from China, was introduced to Europe in the 19th century. Growing to about 20 m (65 ft) tall, it is valued for its exotic qualities and cold-tolerance. Its trunk is covered by dense mats of brown fiber from the old leaf bases. The leaves are dark green above, blue-green below, and almost 1 m (3 ft) in diameter, with quite broad segments. The fruits are dark blue.

T. martianus, from the eastern Himalayas, is very similar but loses its fibrous leaf bases more quickly, leaving a smooth, white-tinged trunk, about 15 m (50 ft) in height.

Cultivation

These palms can be grown in situa­tions of full sun to light, broken shade and adapt to any free-draining soil. Propagation is from seed. They are shallow rooted and trans-plant easily. Young plants make excellent tub specimens.

Climate

Temperate. Zone 8 for T. fortun i; zone 9 for 7: rrrartiarrus.