Dear all. 

We have this old branching palm growing in Algiers' Hamma Botanical Garden. 

The morphological characteristics is close to a Washingtonia palm. However, the diameter of the stipe of this palm is not as large, whereas the literature mentions that Washingtonia robusta does not branch. In other respect, the leaves' shape does not match Hyphaene. 

Any help for identifying this weird Washingtonia-like palm?

Thanks in advance.

[Photo credit: Karim Djennas.]

Hello Farid and welcome to Palmtalk. There are others on here better versed with palms than I, but I believe you have a Washingtonia that experienced some form of damage to the growning point in its history which resulted in a second growing point and branch.  The fronds do look like Washingtoni to me as do the associated nearby palms which appear single-trunked to my eyes. That is an uncommon circumstance from my experience. Thanks for the pix.

Yes, Washingtonia filifera var robusta (formerly W robusta)

There must be something in the local soil making that Washingtonia do a Hyphaene compressa impersonation (its neighbor to the south)!  😆

Am I the only one thinking the fronds look similar to Livistona decora fronds? I know it’s probably Washingtonia but it’s an interesting specimen.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Then, likely an unusual branching Washingtonia filifera var. robusta. When returning back at the botanical garden I will check the presence or not of spines on the petiole and the depth of the leaf's division to rule out or not the possibility of a Livistona decora.

Perhaps a second palm growing behind, from between the shrubbery.

On 1/27/2026 at 8:15 PM, TropicsEnjoyer said:

Am I the only one thinking the fronds look similar to Livistona decora fronds? I know it’s probably Washingtonia but it’s an interesting specimen.

I agree 100%. looks very LIvistona but probably is a washy.