California fan palm

noun

1. a tall fan palm, Washingtonia filifera, of California, having a shaggy skirt of withered leaves near the top of the trunk.

Word History and Origins

Origin of California fan palm¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Palm Canyon, home to hundreds of native California fan palm trees, has a parking lot and a trading post at its trailhead.

From Los Angeles Times

In Palm Canyon, you find the world’s largest California fan palm oasis.

From Los Angeles Times

At the far end of Bracks’ cracked driveway, a California fan palm towers over a worn, free-standing basketball hoop.

From Los Angeles Times

Though the live palm has become the Southland’s signature tree, of the many varieties growing in Los Angeles, only the California fan palm is native to Southern California, and it doesn’t even naturally occur in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Only one species of palm – Washingtonia filifera, the California fan palm – is native to the state.

From The Guardian