Fan Palm Tree

Fan leaves from the palmate palms are typically circular or paddle shaped, or shaped like a portion of a circle (half moon). The leaf may be divided into segments or entire, without divisions. Most fan palm leaves do have divisions into segments. They can even be severely divided like the spokes of a bicycle wheel, with the air space between the segments extending deep into the central leaf. Rhapis and some Livistona species are examples of this. Or, they can be near complete without divisions or segments. Licuala elegans is an example of this. The individual portions of the fan leaf are known as segments rather than leaflets. The palmate character of the leaf reminds one of his palm and hand, with you fingers being the segments of the leaf (thus the name "palmate" palm)