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Washingtonia robusta, commonly known as Mexican Fan Palm, is a tall, fast-growing fan palm that can reach 60-100 feet (18-30 m) tall.
Growth Form
Single, slender trunk Narrow compared to its height
Crown of large fan-shaped leaves
No branching Trunk
Gray-brown
Smooth when old leaf bases fall away
Often retains a skirt of dead leaves when not pruned
Marked with ring-like leaf scars
Leaves
Palmate (fan-shaped) 3-5 feet wide
Divided into many narrow segments
Long petioles with small spines along the edges
Leaves form a rounded canopy at the top of the tall trunk.
Flowers
Small, creamy-white
Produced in long, arching clusters extending beyond the leaves
Fragrant
Attract pollinators
Fruit
Small, round berries
Dark purple to black when ripe
Produced in large hanging clusters
Habitat
Grows in Human- Altered Envirnoments (yards, gardens)
Distribution
Native to northwestern Mexico.
Ecological Importance
Provides limited wildlife value
Fruits may be eaten by birds
Primarily ornamental in role
Cultural Notes
Frequently planted along roads and in commercial landscapes
Valued for height and formal appearance
Fast-growing compared to many native palms
Often confused with native fan palms
Though visually striking, it does not play the same ecological role as native
Bahamian palms like Silver Top or Sabal.
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