Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Friday - January 18, 2013

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Soils, Trees
Title: Is California fan palm found on Edwards Plateau from Austin
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is the following Palm, Washingtonia filifera, found in the Texas Hill Country, specifically the Edwards Plateau or Balcones Canyonlands NWR.

ANSWER:

This USDA Plant Profile Map shows (in green) where in the United States the Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm) grows. You could follow the plant link to our webpage to learn their growing conditions. When we did this, we learned that the palm likes moist, alkaline soils. The alkaline we have in Central Texas, the moist we don't.

From the Image Gallery

California fan palm
Washingtonia filifera