Fortunes Palm Trachycarpus fortunei
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- trak-ee-KAR-pus for-TOO-nee-eye
- Description
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A palm tree in the Arecaceae family, this award-winning specimen brings a tropical flair to any landscape. The windmill palm is native to subtropical and temperate mountain forests of China. In the wild, it can reach heights ranging from 20' to 40' and sometimes taller. In other locations, it typically tops out around 10' tall.
It makes a great specimen plant or is effective in small groups. Use it to frame an entryway or garden path. It has a solitary trunk that appears shaggy and hairy with leftover dried petioles from shed leaves. Fibers from the leaves are often used in weaving. The leaves spiraling out in all directions from the top of the plant resemble a windmill, hence the common name. It can be grown in large containers and overwintered indoors in colder climates. In a protected location it is hardy to zone 7.
Although it can be grown in full sun, a location that provides some shade and protection from strong or cold winds can be beneficial. When no protection from strong wind is provided, the leaves tend to tear.
This palm is moderately salt tolerant.
The genus name Trachycarpus derives from Greek and roughly translates to "rough fruit".
Propagation can be accomplished from seed, however both male and female plants are necessary for seed production.
Seasonal Interest:
Foliage: Evergreen Bloom: Summer, June-July Bark: Winter
Wildlife Value: This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or diseases problems. There is some susceptible to scale and palm aphids. Some issues of root rot may appear as well as yellowing disease and leaf spots. For a palm, it has excellent winter hardiness but it may suffer in the cooler locations.
Quick ID
- Petioles sharply toothed
- Leaves palmately divided, 15-10 segments
- Leaf segments single-fold
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Souto Sun Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Hayes Stiffie
- Hayes Stiffie
- Hayes Stiffie
- Tags:















- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Hayes Stiffie
- Hayes Stiffie
- Hayes Stiffie
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Trachycarpus
- Species:
- fortunei
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In China, this plant is often used in the making of rope, brooms, mat, and cloth.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern China.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dark blue to almost black fleshy fruits appear in the form of drupes. Each contain 1 seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear on drooping panicles that can grow to 2' long. The female flowers are followed by dark blue drupes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are fan-shaped to circular, palmately dissected, each having 15-19 segments which are linear, single-fold, and slightly drooping. They can grow up to 3' long. The undersides have a glaucous color, covered with a grayish waxy coating.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is fibrous. The trunk is covered with black hair-like fibers that originate from the old leaf sheaths. The trunk will typically measure under 12" in diameter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are clustered. The basal portion is covered with fibrous leaf bases; petioles to 3 ft, sharply dentate.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Messy