Chamaerops humilis, the European Fan Palm, is the sole species in the genus Chamaerops in the palm family Arecaceae. It is native to the western Mediterranean region, in southwestern Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Malta) and northwest Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia). It is the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world. It is a shrublike clumping palm, with several stems growing from a single base.

Common Name:  European Fan Palm

Botanical Name:  Chamaerops humilis

Plant Type:  Clustering, trunkless palm tree

Origin:  Southwestern Europe

Zones:  8 - 11

Height:  2-5 meters tall

Rate of Growth: Slow

Salt Tolerance:  Moderate

Soil Requirements:  Widely adaptable

Water Requirements:  High drought tolerance after establishment.

Nutritional Requirements:  Moderate

Light Requirements:  Moderate, High

Form:  Clustering, trunkless palm

Leaves:  long petiole terminating in a rounded fan of 10-20 leaflets

Pests or diseases:  None

Uses:  Ornamental palm

Bad Habits: needle-like spines produced on the leaf stems

Cost:  $$ - $$$ -- Reasonable to Expensive

Propagation:  Seed