Livistona chinensis (Chinese Fan Palm, Fountain Palm, Serdang, Chinese Fountain Palm)


Botanical Information

FamilyArecaceae
GenusLivistona
Specieschinensis
SynonymsChamaerops biroo, Latania chinensis, Livistona japonica, Livistona mauritiana, Livistona oliviformis, Livistona sinensis, Livistona subglobosa, Saribus chinensis, Saribus oliviformis, Saribus subglobosus
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginSouthern Japan, Ryuku and Bonin Islands and southern Taiwan.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Leaves are widely used to make fans in China, as well as being used to make hats, brooms, and raincoats. The fibres, extracted from the sheath and the petiole of the leaves, are made into cordage.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c - H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-10 - 10
Temperature (°F)14 - 50
Height1.8 - 9 m
Spread1.8 - 3 m
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionLivistona chinensis is a fan palm tree with a solitary, erect stem topped with bunches of long, dull green-brown blades.
ShapeErect, tall and fanning.
LandscapeSpecimen planting, pot planting, glass-house planting and ornamental use.
PropagationBy seed.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and moist soil with a pH of 4.5 - 9.1 (very acidic to very alkaline). Drought tolerant.
Notable SpecimensCentennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatCoastal forests.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe trunk is 20 - 30 cm wide.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are fan-shaped with short marginal spines and are 2 m. Leafstalks are shorter than the blade.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers appear in clusters of 4 - 7, subglobose in bud and are 2 - 2.5 m long.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit is ovoid to spherical and 2.5 cm wide.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is brown and become grey as it ages. The leaves are a dull greenish-brown. The flowers are white to yellow. The fruit is deep bluish-green to a greyish-pink.
Texture DescriptionThe fruit appears glossy.

Photographs