That's the full complement. But what about the suckering
species I hear you ask? In my opinion, it doesn't exist. lt is not
uncommon for a Trachycarpus fortunei to appear to develop a side
shoot but this is in fact the main growing point emerging from the
side of the plant because the way up is blocked for some reason,
invariably the result of some damage. Once this establishes itself,
the original main stem will die back. If it is removed, the plant
may well go on to produce another, but it is still the one and only
growing point seeking a way out and up. A customer of mine removed
4 such as he wanted a single trunk! As soon as one was allowed to
develop, the main stem died. Others that appear to be clustering
are simply the result of several seeds being planted together. On
every such specimen I have examined, including the type specimen
of var. surculosa, all the trunks are the same age (a bit of a giveaway
that) and invariably both sexes are represented, impossible with
a truly clustering palm. However, I would be delighted to be proven
wrong.
I have heard of several examples of forking Trachycarpus
fortunei. Again this is likely to be caused by damage to the growing
point. I recently received some photographs of a specimen in China
with no less than four trunks!
I hope this will serve to clear up the confusion
surrounding what is essentially o clearly defined and easily differentiated
genus.
Trachycarpus on Parade
