Chusan palm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chusan Palm
• Chinese Windmill Palm
• Windmill Palm
• Chusan fan palm
• hemp palm
• Chinese fan palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trachycarpus caespitosus
• Trachycarpus wagnerianus
• Chamaerops fortunei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Arecales and family Arecaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Trachycarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several continents. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within Great Britain. Moving through the continent, it is found in Middle Europe specifically in Switzerland, as well as in Southwestern Europe in Spain. Its range extends into Southeastern Europe, where it grows in Italy. Finally, the species reaches East Asia, where it is distributed throughout South-Central China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tachycarpous fortunei is characterized by its specific niche within montane environments, where it thrives at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1500 m to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 2000 m AMSL. Within these high-altitude zones, the species is typically found integrated into the canopy habitat, where it occupies the upper layers of the forest structure. Regarding its survival strategies against herbivory or environmental stressors, the plant exhibits no specific specialized defense mechanisms.

Defense :

no

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Trachycarpum fortunei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its persistent buds well above the ground level, a structural strategy that aids in its survival and growth patterns. This species exhibits an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. Within its ecological classification, its life form is further defined as a phanerophyte, reflecting its physiological adaptation to its specific environmental niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trachycarpus fortunei is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. It exhibits a terrestrial habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant features an erect shoot orientation and is capable of being self-supporting rather than acting as a climbing vine or liana. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 7.25 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 3 m to a maximum of 13 m. Its structural development includes shoots that can reach a maximum length of 2000 cm, and the diameter at breast height (DBH) can extend up to a maximum of 30 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

30 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13 m

Plant height mean:

7.25 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Shoot length max:

2000 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tachycarpous fortunei is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Morphologically, the plant exhibits significant leaf dimensions, with a mean leaf length of 40 cm and a maximum leaf length reaching up to 300 cm. The leaf width remains consistent across its observed range, with both the minimum and maximum width recorded at 100 cm. Structurally, the foliage is smooth and lacks the presence of leaf spines. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length max:

300 cm

Leaf length mean:

40 cm

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf width mean:

100 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trachycarpus fortunei is primarily sexual, characterized by a monoecious reproductive system, with no recorded instances of asexual reproduction. The flowering period is highly flexible and variable, with the flowering season potentially spanning from December through the rest of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. Pollination is achieved through biotic means, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. Following successful pollination, the plant produces black fruits that typically measure a mean width of 1.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1.1 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm) and a mean length of 1 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm). The dispersal of these fruits follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of 0.26695 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.26363 g to a maximum of 0.27027 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit width min:

1.1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass max:

0.27027 g

Seed mass mean:

0.26695 g

Seed mass min:

0.26363 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trachycarpus fortunei has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Chemicals

Trachycarpus fortunei has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylthio)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylic acid, 2,4,5-triacetoxybiphenyl, Stearamide.

1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(methylthio)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylic acid

1. Frontiers in microbiology

2,4,5-triacetoxybiphenyl

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Stearamide

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Conditions

Trachycarpus fortunei has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Gram-negative bacteria

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Staphylococcus epidermidis

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Preparations

Trachycarpus fortunei has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanolic extracts.

Ethanolic extracts

1. Frontiers in microbiology