Difference between revisions of "Livistona chinensis"

Revision as of 21:46, 2 August 2015

Pronunciation: liv-ih-STONE-uh chin-NEN-siss

Common Name: Chinese Fan Palm, Chinese Fountain Palm

Livistona chinensis is one of the hardiest, affordable and most commonly available of the Livistona genus. and a very adaptable palm for most climates of southern California, including indoors. If grown in bright light, Livistona chinensis makes a very compact palm with a dense crown of ornamentally drooping leaves. It becomes a much taller, lankier palm if grown in more shade. Very easy palm to grow from early on.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary
Height: 30 feet
Trunk: mostly clear but some retained leaf bases, particularly near the bottom; 1' thick
Spread: 8'-12'
Leaf Shape: moderately costapalmate and forming nearly a full circle; leaf blades split generally half way and leaflets have a characteristic 'Livistona' droop (hence the name 'Fountain Palm')
Petiole: bright green; 3'-4' long, barely channeled and armed with hooked, very sharp teeth
Foliage: bright green to yellowing in full, hot sun; Leaves tend to form fairly dense crowns; leaflets blowing in the slightest breeze
Reproduction: monoecious with generally prolific seed production
Inflorescence: yellow and very highly branched, about 3' long
Fruit: shiny blue-green ovoid 2cmx 1cm
Seed: pale yellow and ovoid about 1cm x 6mm

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 20F
Drought Tolerance: fair though good in mature palms
Dry Heat Tolerance: good
Wind Tolerance: good, though only fair in young palms
Salt Tolerance: moderate
Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age
Soil Preference: extremely adaptable to nearly any soil type
Light Requirement: partial to full sun (partial best in inland climates)
Human Hazards: sharp petiolar teeth
Disease or Horticultural Problems: few in California
Transplants?: fair to good
Indoor?: very good but somewhat dangerous indoor palm
Availability: common

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 '''''Livistona chinensis'''''  is one of the hardiest, affordable and most commonly available of the Livistona genus. and a very adaptable palm for most climates of southern California, including indoors.  If grown in bright light,  Livistona chinensis makes a very compact palm with a dense crown of ornamentally drooping leaves.  It becomes a much taller, lankier palm if grown in more shade.  Very easy palm to grow from early on.
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 *'''Availability''': common
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 File:Livistona chinensis 2 Topanga.jpg|inland Los Angeles

Difference between revisions of "Livistona chinensis"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Revision as of 21:46, 2 August 2015