P2 Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean fan palm)

Mediterranean fan palm in Japanese Garden

The Mediterranean fan palm is one of two palms native to Europe. Occurs where there are wet winters and hot dry summers and tolerates periodic drought, just like California.

Native to: Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta) and Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia). It is the northern-most ocurring palm. One of the two naturally occurring palms in Europe (Phoenix theophrasti is the other).

Leaves: Bright green fans
Petioles: Armed with spines. Careful!
Fruit: Ripe fruit smells like rancid butter. (Yes, they do!) Usually dioeceous (separate male and female plants).

Trunk: Short, thin reddish brown trunks. Produces new sprouts

Water requirements (Perry): Medium (winter), Low (summer)
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Tribe: Corypheae

Learn more about Chamaerops humilis:

• Palmpedia - many photos of this palm in its native habitat.
• Wikipedia
• SelecTree - Sunset Zones 4 - 24. USDA Hardiness Zones 8.
• San Marcos Growers
• Monrovia
• Etymology: Chamaerops (Greek chamai means ‘on the ground’ and rhops means twig. "Dwarf bush") humilis (from the Latin for ‘lowest’ or ‘dwarf’). Pliny mentioned its name, "chammereps".