Hemp palm

Profile

Family

Palmae

Habit

Tree

Height

12 m

Spread

4 m

Growth

very slow

Lifespan

150 years

First yield

after 10 years

Hardiness

zone 8–11

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very moist

pH

5 – 7.5

Synonyms

T. excelsus. Chamaerops fortunei. C. excelsus.

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Young flower buds are boiled and utilized in a way similar to bamboo shoots. Fresh flowers and terminal buds seem to be edible as well.

Medicinal: The plant's flowers and seeds possess astringent and hemostatic qualities. Its root or fruit can act as a contraceptive when prepared as a decoction. The ash from the plant's fine hairs also has hemostatic properties and can be utilized with boiling water to address various bleeding disorders like hemorrhage, nosebleeds, hematemesis, bloody stools, metrorrhagia, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Other uses: The fibers surrounding the trunk are utilized for producing ropes and textiles. Fibers obtained from the petiole are used for making brushes, ropes, and rough fabrics. Bark mixed with some stem fibers is used to create a mat. The leaves are woven into hats, rough coats, and fans.

Growing

Requires rich, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered location to thrive, especially shielded from cold, dry winds. Individual leaves have a lifespan of approximately 3 years and wind damage can lead to an untidy appearance, reducing the plant's ability to photosynthesize. This species is generally resilient in the southern and western regions. Mature plants have been known to withstand temperatures as low as -18°C, although younger ones are more vulnerable and may suffer damage around -8°C, particularly if exposed to cold winds. It is advisable to protect very young plants during their initial winters outdoors. While it is a relatively slow-growing plant, it can self-seed in the southwest. Palms typically have deep root systems and are best planted when young. Older plants are more tolerant to cold than younger ones. In borderline cold areas, it is recommended to grow them in containers for a few years, shield them in winter, and transplant them into their permanent spots only when necessary due to size. Even large palms can be transplanted, although their thick roots are delicate and can dry out. Providing strong support, ample water, and removing excess leaves can aid in the plant's recovery. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance. To obtain seeds, both male and female plants must be cultivated.

Propagation

Soak or pre-scorch the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, then plant them in a cold frame during late winter. After about 4-6 weeks, move the seeds to a greenhouse, where they should sprout in approximately 4-8 weeks at 25°C. Once they are sufficiently grown, transfer the seedlings to individual pots and let them mature in the greenhouse for at least a year. Set them in their final position in late spring or early summer, following the final frosts. It may be beneficial to shield them from the cold outdoors, especially during the initial winter. Place cuttings in pots during late spring and relocate them to their permanent spot after 12 months.

Notable

Special features: tolerates short-term drought, waterlogging, and low temperatures; highly resistant to toxic gases (soot, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride); grows wild in disturbed forest habitats in Switzerland; Tr. fortunei wagnerianus is a more robust form with smaller leaves; young plants north of the Alps require winter protection.

Origin & habitat

East Asia - Central and Eastern China.

In a very unpredictable scenario.