Washingtonia filifera (Lindl.) H. Wendl.
Family: PALMAE
Genus: Washingtonia
Catalan common name: Washingtònia.
Spanish common name: Palmera de Califòrnia.
General distribution (Phytogeography): America
Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.
Habitat: Gardens.
Description: A palm with fan-like leaves and a strong and straight trunk that can reach up to 18 m in height. The trunk has narrow vertical fissures, less well marked than Washingtonia robusta. Large, palm-shaped leaves, with a lamina up to 2 m in diameter (while Washingtonia robusta does grow over a metre.) with 50 to 80 segments of more than a meter in length, deeply embedded in the apex and accompanied by long filaments, of which originates it species name. In contrast, leaves of Washingtonia robusta have few or no filaments. These segments are wider in Washingtonia filifera then Washingtonia robusta. Petioles are some 2 m in length with curved brownish red spines at the sides.
Observations: This is one of the palms more resistant to cold weather.
Location on-campus UIB: Son Lledo garden.