Common Name:

General Information

Trachycarpus martianus is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm with an erect, unbranched stem up to 15 metres tall and 15cm in diameter, topped by an open crown of large, fan-shaped leaves[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of Nepal , northeast India and northern Myanmar

Habitat

Montane forest, on steep, rocky slopes or cliffs, often on limestone soils; at elevations from 1,000 - 2,400 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Trachycarpus martianus is fairly cold-hardy, tolerating short periods with temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c if the plant is sheltered from cold winds[, ]. Young plants are less hardy and require protection during winter[]. The plant grows well in a mediterranean-type climate, and is said to dislike hot humid climates.
Requires a rich moist but well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[, ], especially from cold drying winds[].
The Nepalese form of this species is said to be hardier due to the fact it grows at a higher elevations.
Individual leaves live for about 3 years and, if they are damaged by wind will make the plant look very shabby as well as reducing its potential for photosynthesis[].
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[].
This species is very closely related to Trachycarpus fortunei, one of the main differences being that, unlike Trachycarpus fortunei, the fibres from the leaf stalks do not persist on this species[]. The plant is also slower growing, though it is eventually much taller than Trachycarpus fortunei[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit- raw or cooked The flesh is scanty and almost tasteless[].

The following notes are for the closely related Trachycarpus fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species[].
Young flower buds - cooked[, , ]. Used like bamboo shoots[]. The fresh flowers and terminal bud are also apparently consumed[].

Medicinal

The following notes are for the closely related T. fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species[].

The flowers and the seed are astringent and haemostatic[, ].
The root or the fruit is decocted as a contraceptive[, ].
The ashes from the silky hairs of the plant are haemostatic[, ]. Mixed with boiling water they are used in the treatment of haemopytsis, nose bleeds, haematemesis, blood in stools, metrorrhagia, gonorrhoea and other venereal diseases[].

Other Uses

The following notes are for the closely related T. fortunei. They almost certainly also apply to this species[].

The fibres from within the leafstalk are used for making brushes, ropes, coarse cloth etc[].
A matting is made from the bark admixed with some of the stem fibres[].
The leaves are woven into hats, rough coats and fans[, , ].

Propagation

Scarify or pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water then sow in a cold frame in mid to late winter. Bring into the greenhouse about 4 - 6 weeks later and the seed should germinate in about 4 - 8 weeks at 25°c[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Pot up suckers in late spring and plant out in their permanent position 12 months later.