Chinese Windmill Palm

(Trachycarpus fortunei)

Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)

W. Bulach

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: W. Bulach

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: W. Bulach | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: W. Bulach | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: .00_4850_Chinesische_Hanfpalme_(Trachycarpus_fortunei).jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Location taken: Behnke Nurseries, Potomac MD USA. Names: Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore', Dropmore Catmint, Faassens Catmint, Ornamental Catmin Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Spermatopsida > L

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as Chinese Windmill Palm, is an evergreen palm native to central China and parts of the Himalayas, often found in mountainous areas and forest clearings. It can grow to 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall, with a single stem that is 15–30 cm (6–12 in) in diameter. The trunk’s texture is rough due to the persistent leaf bases that form a hessian-like covering. The fan-shaped leaves are arranged into dense, symmetrical crowns, and the palm is notable for its yellow (male) and greenish (female) flowers, which are small but borne in large, showy panicles up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long in spring. The species is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants.

The Chinese Windmill Palm is valued for its hardiness in cool temperate climates, making it a popular choice for urban and coastal gardens. It provides an exotic, tropical look with its large, fan-shaped leaves and is often used as a focal point in landscapes. It requires full sun to part shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is adaptable to various moisture levels, it prefers consistent watering. This palm is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can become invasive in some regions, so gardeners should be aware of local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 20-66 feet
Width: 6-12 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Central China and parts of the Himalayas, often found in mountainous areas and forest clearings

Other Names

Common Names: Windmill Palm, Hemp Palm, Chusan Fan Palm, Chusan Palm, Hochstämmige Hanfpalme, Chinesische Hanfpalme, Palma De Jardín, Palmier De Chine, Väderkvarnspalm, Chinese Fan Palm

Scientific Names: , Trachycarpus fortunei, Trachycarpus wagnerianus, Chamaerops excelsa, Chamaerops fortunei, Trachycarpus caespitosus,

GBIF Accepted Name: Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl.