Washingtonia sp.
Fan palm, Fan Palm
Family: Arecaceae · Type: Shrub · Variable; species dependent
Washingtonia sp. (Fan palm) is a non-native California shrub in the Arecaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Sabal: Washingtonia leaf stems split at the base; Sabal leaf stems don't split and attach directly to the trunk.; vs Phoenix: Washingtonia has fan-shaped leaves; Phoenix has feather-like leaves with leaflets in rows along a central stem.; vs Trachycarpus: Washingtonia has smooth trunks (or dead leaf bases); Trachycarpus trunks are wrapped in dense brown fiber.; vs Chamaerops: Washingtonia forms single tall trunks; Chamaerops grows as a multi-stemmed shrubby clump from the base.; vs Brahea: Washingtonia has bright green leaves; Brahea has distinctly blue-gray or silvery-green waxy leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Washingtonia sp. native to California?
No. Washingtonia sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Washingtonia sp. belong to?
Washingtonia sp. is in the Arecaceae family, genus Washingtonia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.