Tree Tuesday: Washingtonia filibusta

There are over 2 500 palm species in the world, size ranging from the small little love palm to 60 meters tall. In South Africa, we only have 5 indigenous palms: Raphia australis (Kosi Bay Palm), Phoenix reclinata (the Wild Date Palm), Jubeaopsis caffra(the Pondoland Coconut), Hyphaene coriacea(the Ilala Palm), Borrasus aethiopum.

Palms are divided into 2 major groups based on their leaves, the fan-shaped leaves or the feather-shaped leaves; also two groups based on climate, hardened or tropical. These palms are evergreen and very adaptable due to their fibrous, compact root system. They are quite useful as they supply us with cane that can be used in platting furniture, baskets and mats; also with different kinds of fruit like dates, betel nuts and coconuts.

Washingtonia Filifera (petticoat palm)

It is a hardened palm which is frost and drought resistant. The name derives from the dead leaves around the trunk which looks like a petticoat. Washingtonia Filifera can grow up to 35 meters tall and is native to the United States.

Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palms)

It is a very common palm, easily available, rapid growing and can be found in hardy areas around the world, reaching a height of 30 meters.

Washingtonia filibusta

This is a hybrid of the species filifera and robusta (best of both worlds). It caught my eye because of its incredible height, the platted pattern on a section of its trunk and the dead leaves hanging down. The little town where I came across these palms was built around a hot spring.

The filibusta is an unintentionally made hybrid, an intermediate between the filifera and robusta (parent plants), it has a higher cold and heat tolerance and is faster growing.

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