Nursery Hours:
Monday -Saturday 9AM-4PM
OPEN BUTTONM

Phone: (619) 291-4605
Fax: (619) 574-1595
Email: phil.bergman@junglemusic.net

Delivery for palm trees and cycads is available

Delivery is available!

All major credit cards accepted

Home | Site Map | Palm Trees Directory | Cycads Directory | Directions

Jungle Music Nursery

Mediterannean Fan Palm Banner

THE MEDITERRANEAN FAN PALM
CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS

by Phil Bergman

AKA EUROPEAN FAN PALM

A GREEN TO BLUE GREEN, SUCKERING FAN PALM THAT LOVES HEAT AND SUN

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

This article introduces the Mediterranean Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis, a suckering fan palm that is native to Southern Europe along the Mediterranean coast. Habitat distribution spreads from Spain and up through France, across to Italy and Malta and then across toward southeastern Europe. Chamaerops humilis is known for typically not getting too tall and often being as wide as it is tall. It loves full, hot sun and is extremely cold hardy, down to about 15 degrees F. For many, it's considered a "bullet-proof palm species". Below you'll find lots of information on the Mediterranean Fan Palm.

Introduction

Historically Chamaerops humilis has been considered a monotypic genus although in recent times a very blue version (Chamaerops cerifera) has been discovered in northern Africa and this may be eventually named as the second species in the genus. But, for now, there is strictly only one species to the genus Chamaerops. This species is very durable and can live on limited water. It tolerates hot full sun, even in desert environments. Although there are variations if mature heights (different clones of the same species), it tends not to be overly tall. It does sucker and leaf stems are armed with sharp barbs.

CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS

Common Names:
The Mediterranean Fan Palm, The "Med Fan", The European Fan Palm

Type of Plant:
This is a suckering, armed fan palm.

The Genus:

From a taxonomic point of view, this is the only species of the genus Chamaerops. See comments above.

Sun Tolerance:
This species prefers full sun and is very tolerant of high heat, even in the desert. It does poorly in shade or in a filtered light interior environment. During the winter it does tolerate humid cold weather as you would see in its native habitat.

Mature Height:

There are various clones of this species, some shorter, some taller. Figure the heights at anywhere between six feet and fifteen feet.

Leaves:

The leaves are of the fan type with divided segments. Leaf segments come to a point but are not sharp. Typical leaf diameter is two feet, perhaps a bit more.

Leaf Stem:

Depending on conditions, the petiole (leaf stem) can be between two and five feet long. It is armed with sharp barbs.

Leaf Color:

Leaf color in green to blue green. Often the underside of the leaf is more silver than the top side although this is variable. There are intensely blue forms of this plant given the name Chamaerops cerifera. The latter may soon be given species status.

Trunk:

The trunk is typically six to eight inches thick and has retained leaf bases and fibers. Thus, it is not a smooth trunk palm. With the fiber and old stems attached, a trunk may look like its twelve inches thick.

Suckers:

This species produces addition trunks off the primary trunk. These offset trunks are densely attached and close together.

Spines:

It is important for the reader to realize there are curved and rather sharp spines on the leaf stems. Use protective gloves when pruning. Protect your eyes with goggles as well.

Cold Tolerance:

This species is remarkably cold hardy and is on a short list of the world's most cold hardy palms. It can usually tolerate 15 degrees F. weather

Fruit:

Fruit turns from green to yellow-brown over time. The seed inside is brown and about 1/2 inch in size.

Growth Rate:

Medium growth rate. Not super slow but certainly not fast.

Native Habitat:

As mentioned above from most of the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and on islands within this sea.

Landscape Usages:

This species should be given room as it can be as wide as it is tall. This is because of the suckering nature of this species. It should be considered where one experiences severe cold or where one has extreme summer heat. It can be used as a specimen, centerpiece palm but may need a decade's growth to mature to this size. If a smaller clone is picked, it can be used where views are a concern. Typically it allows a view above the crown of leaves.

Varieties and Clones:

Chamaerops cerifera is the blue form from northern Africa and may someday be considered a species. However, there are also varieties that come from particular habitats and are known to be smaller, more compact or have somewhat different appearance or leaf characteristics. This will not be covered here but some nursery photos shown below.

Single Trunk Form:

A peculiar and very rare form of this species does not sucker. It only has one main stem and never produces offset stems. We do not know why this occurs. See photos below. One can remove stems from a clustering form but the plant will typically keep producing more stems over time. The single trunk form never does this.

See photographic representation of this species and nursery plants below.

PHOTOS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FAN PALM (CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS)

Balboa Park, San Diego. This is a fairly short clone.	Growing in Southern California.	photos of various juvenile palms
Close up of the leaves	A single trunk specimen	Closer look at leaves of a rather blue form
Close up of the stems and barbs	Specimen with many trunks	A taller specimen in San Diego at the Bahia Hotel

MEDITERRANEAN FAN PALMS AT THE NURSERY

Availability can change over time. Typically we have 5g and 15g available. But, we can
get large boxed specimens on request (require heavy equipment to move).

5 gallon size	5 gallon size	5 gallon size
5 gallon size	15gallon size	15 gallon size
25 gallon size	25 gallon size	25 gallon size
This row shows 15g size Chamerops cerifera

LARGE SPECIMENS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH ASSOCIATE

CLICK FOR MORE ARTICLES ON PALM TREES

CLICK FOR ARTICLES ON CYCADS

TO SEE LOTS OF PALM TREE PHOTOS, CLICK FOR GALLERY

SEE PALM TREE ENCYCLOPEDIA

NURSERY LOCATION:
450 OCEAN VIEW AVE, ENCINITAS, CA 92024

PHONE: 619 291 4605
OR, VISIT THE NURSERY FOR LOCAL PICK UP

Email: phil@junglemusic.net

Email:
phil@junglemusic.net

Website:
www.junglemusic.net

Nursery Location:

450 Ocean View Ave., Encinitas, CA 92024

Nursery Phone: 619 291 4605

Nursery Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 9AM - 4PM
Sunday typically closed

Directions to Nursery: Freeway Close. Take Freeway 5 to Encinitas
(10 minutes south of Oceanside, 30 minutes north of San Diego).
Exit Leucadia Blvd West (toward ocean).
Immediate left on Orpheus Ave, left on Union St,
Right on Ocean View Ave to Nursery, which is at 450 Ocean View Ave

Mailing Address:
3233 Brant Street, San Diego, CA 92103

MINI SITE DIRECTORY

Home | Contents | Palms Trees | Cycads | Directions

Join Our Mailing LiJoin Our Mailing List

To be added to our mailing list click here. - Receive quarterly species lists and announcements of Sales & Promotions!

Contact Us: Phone 619 291 4605

Email Us - Inquiries - Click Here

phil.bergman@junglemusic.net. Also see our free Palm Tree Help &Cycad Help Articles