Trachycarpus fortunei

Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H.Wendl., Bull. Soc. Bot. France 8: 429 1861. (Syn: Chamaerops fortunei Hook.; Trachycarpus caespitosus Becc.; Trachycarpus wagnerianus Becc.);

Araceae, Arecaceae and Zingiberaceae Fortnight: Arecaceae- Trachycarpus fortunei from Kashmir-GSAUG57 : 1 post by 1 author. Attachments (3).
Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) Wendl., Gay, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 8:429. 1863 (“1861”)

Syn: Chamaerops fortunei Hook.

Common names: Chusan palm, Chinese windmill palm

Fan palm with single stem, reaching 9 m in height, bole covered with blackish fibers; leaves nearly orbicular, about 90-110 cm across, split up irregularly to nearly 3/4 into 40-50 thin segments, some segments somewhat bent back, hastula (junction of petiole and blade) not twisted; flowers creamish to pale yellow, in clusters forming large hanging inflorescence.

Photographed from Badam vari Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir. There are a few specimens in different gardens in Srinagar.

The species is interestingly similar to the Kumaon Palm, T. takil, an endemic species with few specimens in the wild, kindly uploaded by … efi thread

The latter differs in being a more robust and taller, the older fibrous sheaths often falling down leaving the trunk smooth, larger more rigid leaves, larger and with 50-60 segments (I could count nearly 55-57 in … specimen). The most characteristic feature is the twisted hastula.

There are reports that this Kumaon palm may be present in many gardens around the world. One report Plantapalm says that there are several specimens in Nainital, but they may well be T. fortunei ‘Nainital’
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=1789.

Garden Web

http://www.exotischezaden.nl/exotische_zaden/product_info.php?products_id=384&language=en

When first discovered the seeds of T. takil were sent to different nurseries around the world, where some may have hybridized with T. fortunei, and resultant some specimens identified as latter have twisted hastula. The reports of its wide distribution in cultivation may also be confusing since most specimens sold under this name (T. takil) actually belong to a totally different species T. wagnerianus. Junglemusic
Luckily, thanks DNA studies, the true seeds of T. takil are now sorted out and in last few years sent for cultivation wolrld around, saving this endangered species.

Trachycarpus fortunei, and the possible Kumaon connection:
Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) Wendl., Gay, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 8:429. 1863 (“1861”)

Syn: Chamaerops fortunei Hook.

Common names:Chusan palm, Chinese windmill palm

Photographed from Badam vari Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir. There are a few specimens in different gardens in Srinagar.

The species is interestingly similar to the Kumaon Palm, T. takil, an endemic species with few specimens in the wild, kindly uploaded by … efi thread

Garden Web

http://www.exotischezaden.nl/exotische_zaden/product_info.php?products_id=384&language=en

Luckily, thanks DNA studies, the true seeds of T. takil are now sorted out and in last few years sent for cultivation wolrld around, saving this endangered species.