Chamaërops

Chamaërops, a genus of palms, remarkable for its wide range into northern climates throughout the world, and of which one species, C. humilis, is the only palm truly indigenous to Europe. This species, the common Fan-palm, is widely distributed through Southern Europe, extending as far north as Nice. This palm is so tolerant of a cold climate, that a specimen has lived in the open air in the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh for more than fifty years, with the protection of matting in very severe winters. It forms dense furze-like thickets from the suckers which arise from its creeping roots, but when these are not allowed to grow, its stem may reach a height of 20 feet or more. In Algeria it is troublesome to agriculturists, but its growth is increasingly becoming of profit on account of the excellent fibre yielded by its stem. This the Arabs mix with camel's hair and make into hut-covers, &c.; cordage and sailcloth, paper and pasteboard, are also prepared from it, and it also finds many uses under the title of vegetable or African horse-hair. The leaves are also used in paper-making, and furnish a convenient thatching material. This species is sometimes called palmetto in Europe. The true Palmetto (q.v.) is C. (Sabal) palmetto of Florida and Carolina (see also BRAZILIAN GRASS). In China and Japan C. excelsa and C. Fortunei are specially prominent; both can be grown in the open air in the south of England.