Origin: Mexico. Fast-growing palm, with tall columnar trunk that is reddish-brown at first, grey with age, topped with a broad crown of beautiful leaves in a fan shape, bright green, 1m long or more, borne on long dentate stalks. When the lower, older leaves wither, they wrap the trunk. Normally in summer it bears spikes of creamy-white flowers, followed by black fruits. No particular soil requirements, though prefers alkaline ones. Withstands drought and maritime climate.