Common Name: Mediterranean Fan Palm

General Information

Chamaerops humilis is a spiny, evergreen, shrubby palm that produces one to many short, unbranched trunks topped by a cluster of fan-shaped leaves. Plants in the wild are usually found in poor soils and seldom exceed 1.5 metres tall, when grown in better soils in gardens, however, they can grow up to 6 metres tall with a trunk up to 35cm in diameter[].
The plant is the source of a good quality fibre, and is often found growing in extensive wild stands. It has been harvested on a large scale in N. Africa, where it is also sometimes cultivated. The plant is also harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of fibre, and is often grown as an ornamental.
Populations of Chamaerops humilis are declining in parts of its range as a result of urbanisation, but declines are not thought to reach the threshold for a threatened category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western and central Mediterranean - Portugal and Spain to Italy, Morocco to Libya.

Habitat

Mainly in coastal and subcoastal areas, growing amongst shrubs and on scrubland, often on nutritionally poor, dry sandy or rocky soils on mountain slopes; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[, , , , , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Chamaerops humilis is one of the most cold-hardy palms, known to tolerate short periods with temperatures falling as low as -10°c. It will not tolerate recurring bouts of freezing over several days, however, nor does it survive freezing of the root system. It is a plant of semi-arid regions in a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, moist to wet wnters[, ]..
Easily grown in a rich strong loam enriched with leafmold and sand[]. Plants grow in poor dry soils in the wild[]. Requires very good drainage with abundant moisture in the summer and a sunny position[, ]. Another report says that plants grow well in dry conditions and are drought tolerant[]. Tolerates low light levels and can be grown in the home[]. Requires a position sheltered from the wind and cold[].
The plant is slow-growing but long-lived, with some specimens believed to be more than 100 years old[].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[]. Another report says that this species dislikes root disturbance[].
Some botanists recognise a sub-species, Chamaerops humilis arborescens (Pers.)Steud. (a taller growing form), and also a cultivar 'Nana' which is smaller than the type and produces suckers. It is likely that these are no more than phenotypes and that this variety of habit can be induced in cultivation, plants in stressful situations such as near the coast duplicating the 'Nana' form whilst plants in optimum conditions are more like sub-species arborescens[].

Edible Uses

Young leaf buds, known as palm hearts are cooked as a vegetable[, , , , ]. The palm heart (the inner core and growing bud of the plant) is harvested. It provides a crispy food, rich in nutrients, that can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvesting the heart will lead to the death of the stem it was harvested from, though in multi-stemmed plants such as this the rest of the plant will continue to grow and often produce new stems[].
The young shoots or suckers from the bottom of the plant are also used[, ].

Fruit - dried[, ]. Rich in tannins, they have an astringent taste[].
Heart of palm dates are astringent because they are rich in tannins. The leaves are used for their fibers (vegetable hair) to make utensils such as brooms, baskets, hats or cloths. The apical bud (palm heart) and the young spathes (fig, fig or jiga em Andulacía) are edible. It is also used as an ornamental.

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) has been used t treat conditions such diabetes, gastric pain and constipation[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants have been used to form hedges in Mediterranean areas[].

Other Uses

A strong fibre obtained from the leaves is used for cordage and brushes[, , , , , ]. The whole leaf can be used in weaving.
The fibres in the leaves (known as crin vegetal, or vegetable hair) are used to make utensils such as brooms, baskets, hats or cloths[].

The leaves are used in local handicrafts for weaving baskets etc[]

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the old seed can be slow and difficult to germinate. Scarification or pre-soaking stored seed for 1 - 2 days can be helpful[]. Sown in a warm greenhouse, the seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 months (but can take longer) at 25°c[]. The seed produces a long root some time before a shoot appears above ground and it can be potted up at this time[]. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for at least a couple of years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Suckers, removed in spring.