Livistona chinensis

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Plant
ID 673 Livistona chinensis
Botanic Name Livistona chinensis
Common Name Chinese Fan Palm
Family Name Arecaceae
Cultivars syn. Livistona oliviformis
Origin Japan, Southern Taiwan, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Palm / Cycad
Bark Type Corky
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 30
Growth Habit Standard Growth Rate Slow
Height 8 - 12 m (27 - 40 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This medium size fan palm has a stout swollen, corky trunk with closely ringed leaf scars. It has a rounded crown of dark green fronds that are deeply segmented and pendent at the tips and the cream cup-shaped flowers appear in a cluster during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Costapalmate
The costapalmate fronds are up to 2 m (6 ft) wide have a 1 m (3 ft) long slender petiole. They are divided in to 60 - 90 dark green linear-lanceolate segments that are up to 1 m (3 ft) long and are pendant towards the acuminate apex.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 1300 - 2000 mm ( 51.2 - 78.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Cyathiform
The small cyathiform flowers are arranged on a branched panicle that is up to 1 m (3 ft) long and appear amongst the leaf bases. The bisexual flowers consist of 3 united sepals and 3 larger ovate petals that are valvate at the apex.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Cream
Size 3 - 5 mm ( 0.1 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Drupe Additional Information
Colour Blue - black
The 25 mm (1 in) wide ovoid drupe colour varies from blue-black to pinkish-blue and is arranged densely in a large nodding cluster.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 20 - 25 mm ( 0.8 - 1.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained rich moist sandy to light clay loam, tending acidic pH 6.0-7.5
Container Large pots, tubs, planter boxes, when young, under glass in cold regions
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to partial shade, open position, frost and drought tender
Pest & Diseases Leaf burn, scale insect, orange palm dart, Under glass red spider mite, scale
Fertiliser Mulch with organic matter and keep moist, use liquid fertiliser monthly with potted plants
Pruning Not normally required, remove spent fronds
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Chinese Fan Palm is grown for its pendant fronds and its small size. It is planted in small gardens or parks as a lawn specimen or used along borders. It is slow growing and establishes in 3 to 5 years and is long lived.
Sow fresh seeds in a well-drained media and germination takes 6 to 12 weeks. Keep moist and apply bottom heat at 23 C. then plant up into deep pots once germinated.
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