Particulars

Arboretum name: Koba: Chinese Fan Palm
Japanese name: Birou
Species / Family: Livistona chinensis (Jaq.) R. Br. ex Mart. var. subglobosa (Hassk.) Becc./Palmae
Okinawan name: Kuba

Plant Characteristics

Birou, or Livistona chinensis (Chinese Fan Palm) is native to the south of southern Kyushu, southern China, the Ryukyu islands and Taiwan. The Birou is a tall tree, growing upright to a height of 15 meters. The leaves are palmately cleft with each lobe further splitting in half and drooping downward. The inflorescences are long, and the yellow flowers bloom in dense clusters between April and May, producing a distinctive aroma. The fruit is oval, and becomes blackish blue at maturity between September and November. The seeds are white and globular. This particular species is a cultural variety of the elementary species, China-birou, or Livistona chinensis (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Mart. Known as a sacred tree used by Gods when coming down to the ground, the Birou is often found around Utaki (sacred places) in Okinawa, which are therefore called Kuba’s Utaki or Kuponu Utaki.

Uses

Trees: Parks, Streets, Tidewater Control, Wind-break
Wood: Pillars, Picture-Frames, Canes　
Leaves: Draw-Wells, Fans, Kuba-Kasa (Hats)
Shoots/New Leaves: Food Products

Use as a Sacred Tree

In Okinawa, Birou, or Livistona chinensis is a sacred tree often found in sacred areas, and these sacred places are therefore called Kuba’s Utaki or Kuponu Utaki. Meanwhile, the Birou also serves practical purposes in Okinawa—in the old days, the leaves were used to make rope to lift water up from wells. The leaves are still used today to make Kuba-Kasa hats for fishermen.
Referred to as Ajimasa Tree in Kojiki (the Records of Ancient Matters), the Birou has been recognized as a valuable tree since the Yamato Dynasty. During that era, the Ajimasa trees in Awa province or on Awajishima Island were given to the Imperial Court as offerings.

Calendar of best viewing periods

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