Washingtonia robusta

Mexican fan palm

A few twenty five foot tall specimens of Mexican fan palm, Washingtonia robusta, looking much like lollipops with all their palmate leaves at the top, growing in a garden bed in the middle of the white brick driveway at The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort in Key Largo, Florida

Mexican fan palm was first introduced to Los Angeles to decorate the city for the 1932 Summer Olympics. Many of these original palms are still there, now at their full height (about 100 ft.) and nearing the ends of their life spans. Besides Los Angeles, these palms can also be found decorating many California beaches, including Venice Beach. This palm isn't too picky about soil and can survive even in sand...but only if it really has to : )