WASHINGTONIA FILIFERA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CARE, DISEASES - BIOLOGY - 2025

Washingtonia filifera is one of the two species of the genus Washingtonia belonging to the Arecaceae family. It is commonly known as Pritchardia, California Palm, Fan Palm, Desert Palm, California Palm, or Californian Palm.

It is a palm with a thick, cylindrical stem that measures 80 cm to 1 m or more in diameter. A kind of skirt is formed around the stem, made up of the remains of the old leaves that remain attached to the trunk. The longevity of this palm tree can reach 260 years.

Washingtonia filifera or California palm. Source: pixabay.com

The California palm has a robust stem, contrary to what you would expect to see from the other Washingtonia species, the Washingtonia robusta, which ironically has a slender stem.

The leaves of this species are fan-shaped, divided by long segments whose edges are folded and have many filaments. Up to 50 leaves can be grouped on the crown, which are green in color and with long petioles bordered by curved spines.

The flowers are cream-colored and are grouped in an inflorescence surrounded by a spathe. The inflorescence is usually longer than the leaves themselves, while its fruit is edible.

This palm tree is suitable for living in coastal and inland areas with a mild climate. The California palm is one of the most cultivated palms in the world. It is used as an ornamental species around long avenues, in landscaping, forestry or environmental projects in large cities in Mexico and the United States.

The Californian palm is attacked by diseases such as Phytophthora, the pink fungus (Nalanthamala vermoesenii), Graphiola phoenicius and Botryosphaera dothidea. Some pests that attack this palm are the red weevil and the Paysandisia archon moth.

characteristics

Appearance

-Species: Washingtonia filifera (Linden ex André) H. Wendland ex A. de Bary.

Synonyms for California palm are: Brahea dulcis, Brahea filamentosa, Brahea filifera, Livistona filamentosa, Neowashingtonia filamentosa, Neowashingtonia fillifera, Pritchardia filamentosa, Pritchardia filifera, Washingtonia filamentosa, Washingtonia filifera var. microsperm, Washingtonia filifera var. typical.

Habitat and distribution

It is a palm native to California, northern Mexico and Arizona. It is the only palm native to the state of California and it is the largest in the United States.

It lives in the arid areas of western North America, along with streams or rocky channels that remain humid in California. In fact, its presence indicates the proximity of the water table or an oasis.

Currently it is planted in southern California, Arizona, Texas, in the Gulf and the Mediterranean region as an ornamental species and in forestry or environmental projects surrounding long roads.

It grows from 100 to 1200 meters above sea level. It tolerates cold down to -10 ° C, salinity and poor soils.

California palm habitat. Source: wikimedia commons.

Applications

Basically, the California palm is an ornamental species used in landscape projects in large cities, mainly in Mexico and the United States. It is grown in alignments and also in a grouped way.

On the other hand, the fruits of this species are edible. In addition, due to the chemical composition of the seeds (especially their oil), it could be used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Care

Light

This palm requires direct sunlight, even from an early age. In fact, this species does not adapt well to interiors since they are not assured of light in those conditions.

Temperature

The California palm has a certain resistance to cold, being able to withstand up to -10 ° C, but its leaves burn at that temperature; however, the plant shows a good recovery after frost.

Young individuals are more susceptible to low temperature damage than adult individuals.

Floor

It is a species that resists nutrient-poor soils, but adapts better to substrates with good fertility and good drainage.

Regarding soil salinity conditions, California palm adapts well to coastal soils, that is, it resists the salinity present, although the sea wind can burn its leaves.

Irrigation

Drought conditions do not significantly affect the development of this palm. Conversely, an excessively moist condition can cause plant rot.

Under regular watering conditions, as well as with application of compost, the plant grows vigorously.

Transplant

In particular, this palm can be transplanted from its root ball or ground cover attached to its roots, as well as it can be transplanted with the bare root.

Spread

This species spreads through seeds, which germinate in a period of approximately one month. This condition makes it preferred by the people who grow them, since they germinate quickly and their seeds are very cheap.

Washingtonia filifera is used in landscape projects. Source: Oreos

Diseases

California palm can be susceptible to disease when overwatered, or when non-sanitized tools are used for pruning.

In this sense, the diseases that can attack this species of palm are Phytophthora and the pink fungus (Nalanthamala vermoesenii). Both give a healthy appearance to the leaves, but it is very easy to detach them from the trunk, since these microorganisms cause a rotting of the stem.

Other diseases that can attack Washingtonia filifera are Graphiola phoenicius, which produces black spots on the top and underside of leaves, and Botryosphaera dothidea, which is a non-specific pathogen.

To control these diseases, it is recommended to control the irrigation and disinfect the pruning tools before and after using them. Also, treatments with cupric fungicides can be used.

Pests

In addition to the aforementioned diseases, the California palm can be attacked by certain pests such as the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), which is a weevil whose larvae produce galleries in the apical shoot of the palm. This produces a deflection of the main or center blade. It also causes perforations in the trunk and draws fibers from the interior of the palm tree.

Another important pest is the Paysandisia archon moth. In this case, the larvae weaken the plant, malform the central leaf and produce perforations in the stem and leaves.

References

1. Flora of North America. 2000. Arecaceae. Flora of North America Editorial Committee. Volume 22. Oxford University Press, Inc. United States of America. 343 p. Taken from: books.google.co.ve
2. Infojardin. 2019. Washingtonia filifera. Taken from: chips.infojardin.com
3. Catalog of Life: Annual Checklist 2019. Washingtonia filifera. Taken from: catalogueoflife.org
4. Imededdine, AN 2011. Characteristics and composition of Washingtonia filifera (Linden ex André) H. Wendl. seed and seed oil. Food Chemistry 126: 197-202.
5. Sánchez, M. 2019. Washingtonia filifera, a common but very pretty palm tree. Taken from: jardineriaon.com