Common Names
California Fan Palm, Fan Palm, Washontonian Palm
Habitat
Native to isolated groves in moist canyons in Arizona, think Palm Canyon, and more abundant in similar habitats in California. Escaped to many locations with moisture in Arizona, and abundant in landscaping.
Flowers
Small, white inflorescence born on a long stalk.
Description
Tall, with a thick trunk and a dense crown of fan shaped leaves. Very similar to the Mexican Fan palm, but slower growing and has a thicker trunk, up to 3 feet in diameter. Develops a long apron of dead fronds that can extend to the ground. These can provide wildlife habitat, especially for birds.
Comments
Not as commonly used for landscaping as the Mexican Species due to it's slower grown habit. When in doubt, if the stem is fat, think California Fan Palm, if the stem is thin, think Mexican Fan Palm.

This species is very cold hardy. It can withstand temperatures in the single digits, and perhaps down to zero degrees. The similar Mexican species will have it's fronds browned out, where as this species will endure with green fronds.

Link to HAZ map/ database of hike known to contain native palms:
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?X=2643