Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Fan Palm  (Washingtonia ssp.)
Plant: The only native palm to Southern California.  It has a large, gray unbranched trunk with horizontal lines and vertical fissures.  California species grows 20 to 60 feet tall and is found in secluded desert canyons and along fault lines.  Mexican species is taller with a thinner trunk.
Flowers: In the spring, huge clusters of white, 3-lobed, funnel-shaped flowers, about 1/2 inch long, hang down from leaf bases.
Fruit: An oval berry.
Leaf:  Numerous evergreen leaves, composed of leaf stalks, 3 to 5 feet long, with hooked spines along the edges, shaped like fans.
Flowering period:   June
Use by Indians: They ate the berries and used the leaves for roof thatch and weaving applications.
Can be found here: Big Canyon, Indian Springs
Native Plant: Yes Halophyte: No
Family Name: Palm
Click on Picture for enlarged version
Similar Species: California Fan Palm and Mexican Fan Palm
Date: 10/17/2005