Washingtonia filifera vs. Livistona chinensis

[Geode]

Any help IDing this palm is appreciated. They are extremely tall, hence why I thought they are Washingtonia filifera. However, our arborist says they are Livistona chinensis.

Unfortunately, I could not get a close look at the flowers/fruit before they removed them.

[LivistonaFan]

It is indeed a tough question but my vote goes for Livistona chinensis. I am sure you mean Washingtonia robusta as the alternative, not  Washingtonia filifera.

W. robusta is the tall, skinny one from Mexico and W. filifera is the shorter, stout one from California.

 

Here is why I think that your palm trees are Livistona chinensis:

• the typical arrangement of the leaf bases of L. chinensis is like that of your palms (W. robusta has "splitted" leaf bases)
• Livistona chinensis has smaller spines that are hardly visible whereas W. robusta has bigger purple spines on the petioles.
• I looked at the leaves and immediately thought "Wow, that is a Livistona Chinensis!" (of course that is not a valid reason since W. robusta can have drooping leaves as well).

 

For comparison, a Livistona chinensis crown:

photo source: http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/File:Lc7_Nov_13_(103).JPG

Photo from you, @Geode for comparison:

And a crown of Washingtonia robusta:

photo source: http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/File:4af87a.jpg

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by LivistonaFan

[LivistonaFan]

2 hours ago, Geode said:

 

Sorry I was sure that they are large L. chinensis, then I saw the splitted leaf base and have now deleted what I have written before.

Edit: I somehow created a new post instead of editing (deleting) the old one.

The splitted leaf base would indicate W. robusta. The lack of purplish petioles would indicate L.chinensis. The slight filament of the leaves would indicate W.robusta. 

 

Sry @Geode that I have created so much confusion in your topic.

Edited August 3, 2020 by LivistonaFan

[Fusca]

The flowers drooping down below the crown and cottony fibers also say Washingtonia.  The height seems to be more than 30 feet which is usually where L. chinensis maxes out (although can get to 50').

[Jubaea_James760]

Looks very similar to a Brahea Edulis as well. Especially in flower. At first glance I was definitely thinking Livistona Chinensis but not to sure now.

[Jubaea_James760]

Photo off the internet. 

[Jubaea_James760]

[Jubaea_James760]

This photo looks like a Washingtonia Robusta? But the close ups show no or very tiny teeth on the petioles... This ones tricky. 

 

 

 

[Geode]

1 hour ago, Fusca said:

The flowers drooping down below the crown and cottony fibers also say Washingtonia.  The height seems to be more than 30 feet which is usually where L. chinensis maxes out (although can get to 50').

Yes, these palms on site vary between 25 and 65 feet tall.

[Geode]

2 hours ago, LivistonaFan said:

Sorry I was sure that they are large L. chinensis, then I saw the splitted leaf base and have now deleted what I have written before.

Edit: I somehow created a new post instead of editing (deleting) the old one.

The splitted leaf base would indicate W. robusta. The lack of purplish petioles would indicate L.chinensis. The slight filament of the leaves would indicate W.robusta. 

 

Sry @Geode that I have created so much confusion in your topic.

All good. Your confusion was mine already haha! It does seem to carry characteristics of both!

[Geode]

16 minutes ago, James760 said:

This photo looks like a Washingtonia Robusta? But the close ups show no or very tiny teeth on the petioles... This ones tricky. 

 

 

 

Yes, as soon as I saw the flowers, I questioned the Livistonia ID. It really is odd. 

Perhaps a hybrid?

[Padraic]

Look like Robusta without teeth. The crown is a little wider than a typical Robusta too and no red at the leaf base.

[Fusca]

2 minutes ago, Padraic said:

Look like Robusta without teeth. The crown is a little wider than a typical Robusta too and no red at the leaf base.

Exactly what I was thinking.  I've noticed this in very tall Washies - they seem to lose their teeth when they get older.  Like some people!!

2 hours ago, Geode said:

Yes, as soon as I saw the flowers, I questioned the Livistonia ID. It really is odd. 

Perhaps a hybrid?

I was thinking a robusta-dominant filabusta hybrid.  

 

2 hours ago, James760 said:

This photo looks like a Washingtonia Robusta? But the close ups show no or very tiny teeth on the petioles... This ones tricky. 

It is tricky and does show traits of both species but more so Washingtonia.  This is in a very humid area where pure filifera and Brahea edulis would struggle.

[Padraic]

Interesting @Fusca

I have never see those white cotton looking stuff in a Washingtonian, copy and paste below? What is that?

[tim_brissy_13]

I think it has to be a filibusta. Flowers are definitely Washingtonia, but as mentioned it doesn’t have the orange on the lower section of the petiole like robusta, but also not the birth of filifera.

[Laaz]

Filibusta & all washie's have vicious teeth. Not a washie.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

99% sure they're Washingtonia..  Look just like the ones out my front door in the street island. Toothless ( or pretty much toothless ) Leaf stalks/Petiole and all..

[Eric in Orlando]

Washingtonia, definitely not a L. chinensis.

[BigWaveDav3]

Not an expert, but I vote Washingtonia too. In my opinion the fronds look too short and lack of spines for Chinensis.