|
| Menu list goes here |
Plants For A Future: Database Search ResultsMain Search Page BibliographyWashingtonia filifera
Physical CharacteristicsAn evergreen tree growing to 12m by 12m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from November to January. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. Habitats and Possible LocationsWoodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.Edible UsesFruit Leaves Seed.
Fruit - raw or cooked or dried for later use[2, 46, 161, 177, 257]. It
can be made into jellies and drinks or dried and ground into a meal[46, 183].
The seed can be ground up with the dried fruit and then both are eaten as a
porridge[246]. The fruit is small and hard[213], but has a thin sweet pulp
that tastes somewhat like dates[183, 213]. The ovoid fruit is about 6mm long
and 4mm wide[200].
Medicinal UsesDisclaimerNone known Other UsesFibre Musical Weaving.
A fibre from the leaves is used in basket making and for cordage[46,
169].
Cultivation detailsRequires a sheltered sunny position in a fertile moist but well-drained soil[188, 231]. Tolerates some salt in the soil[200] and maritime exposure in climates that are warmer than Britain[200]. Plants can tolerate extensive droughts so long as their roots have tapped into underground water supplies[231].Plants can tolerate light frosts and should succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of Britain[166]. They have been known to tolerate short-lived lows down to about -10° c[231]. This species has an extensive and fleshy but strong root system that can penetrate to a considerable depth in search of water[231]. It generally establishes best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[231]. 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[231]. 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[231]. Plants growing in the wild are seen as an indication of underground water[200]. Plants produce a 'skirt' of old dead leaves, this can be a fire hazard and the old leaves are usually removed when being grown in areas liable to forest fires[200]. A fast growing tree, even when young, in its native environment and very tolerant of transplanting despite its deep root system[200]. PropagationSeed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking for 24 hours in warm water may speed up germination, especially of stored seed[200]. When 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 two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first two winters outdoors.SuppliersFor more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look. Web References
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources. Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images. References[K] Ken Fern
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 [46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959 [71] Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959 [82] Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965 ISBN 0-486-20278-X [161] Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. [166] Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990 [169] Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. [177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169 [183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 [188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7 [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 [213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6 [231] McMillan-Browse. P. Palms for Cooler Climates. Trebah Enterprises. 1993 ISBN 0 9521952 0 8 [246] Radio 4 AM - 1997 [257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9 Readers CommentsMain Search Page Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
This page (UK)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pathways Home :: View Cart :: Shipping & Returns :: Contact Us :: Privacy Policy :: Philosophy :: The Witchs Haven |
|
We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest. |
|
|
& (c) 2007 