Is the Mexican Fan Palm or W. Robusta a Ca. Native?

[Anonymous]

Is the Washingtonia Robusta a California Native Palm tree? How can I tell the difference between this tree and the Washingtonia Filifera? Thank you. I have a small one that someone dug up for me to transplant. It is only about 2 feet high right now, and I am trying to figure out exactly what I have got. Thank you. Laura</p>

[Anonymous]

Neither the Baja Blue-Palm Brahea armata nor Washingtonia robusta are native. Washingtonia filifera is native in desert seep areas. Washingtonia robusta is highly invasive in riparian areas so I would bet the plant you have is W.robusta- it is commonly planted. None are native in a coastal CA setting. </p>

[Anonymous]

thanks Cindy--I appreciate your help here. The mystery is solved. When you say that a plant is 'invasive in riparian areas' what does this mean: is the tree detrimental to native species? Please explain if you have a moment. Thank you.,laura</p>

[Anonymous]

Laura,An invasive exotic plant is a non-native plant to an area exotic that displaces native vegetation invasive. In the case of Washingtonia robusta, the process is slow but if left unchecked, native plant species are displaced by the robustly reproducing W.robusta. In urban riparian open space areas in southern California, it is not uncommon to see numerous palm trees in the drainages. The ones you see are generally just a small portion of the trees actually present. The seed gets washed downhill or is carried by wildlife and then young palms start sprouting up taking up the space where natives would normally grow. We have had some major palm removal projects in local canyons where palms were planted over 70 years ago. In one instance, the palms were so numerous in the main channel of the stream, they diverted the flow such that a historic building was being threatened. Some wildlife do use palms for food and shelter but for the overall longterm health of riparian systems it is better to not let palms get established. If your storm drains don't dump into a natural riparian system and you aren't adjacent to a riparian area, I wouldn't worry about planting a palm in your yard other than my neighbor's large palm tended to have pigeons and rats. Cindy

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[Anonymous]

I'm not sure which palm trees our neighbor uphill from us has, but we spend a fair amount of time weeding all its children from all over our yard. However, its worth noting that at least here in Sherman Oaks, So. Cal., these palms host a few pairs of nesting Orioles each spring, not pigeons! The orioles visit us for nectar drinks and baths, and their fledgings are such wonderful entertainment in the summer that we put up with the never-ending palm 'weeding'

Trish</p>

[Anonymous]

Thanks Trish for your counterpoint hereI appreciate you sharing it with me. I am encouraged now to perhaps let the palm grow in my yard.</p>