Anatomy of the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and Its Application Potential

Abstract

The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.) is widely distributed and is an important potential source of lignocellulosic materials. The lack of knowledge on the anatomy of the windmill palm has led to its inefficient use. In this paper, the diversity in vascular bundle types, shape, surface, and tissue proportions in the leaf sheaths and stems were studied with digital microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Simultaneously, fiber dimensions, fiber surfaces, cell wall ultrastructure, and micromechanics were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and a nanoindenter. There is diversity among vascular bundles in stems and leaf sheaths. All vascular bundles in the stems are type B (circular vascular tissue (VT) at the edge of the fibrous sheath (FS)) while the leaf sheath vascular bundles mostly belong to type C (aliform (VT) at the center of the (FS), with the wings of the (VT) extending to the edge of the vascular bundles). In addition, variation among the vascular bundle area and tissue proportion in the radial direction of the stems and different layers of the leaf sheaths is also significant. Microscopically, the fibers in the stem are much wider and longer than that in the leaf sheath. The secondary walls of stem fibers are triple layered while those in the leaf sheath are double layered. The indentation modulus and hardness of the cell wall of leaf sheath fibers are higher than that of the stem. An independent sample t-test also showed a significant difference between stems and leaf sheaths. All this indicates that windmill palm stems and leaf sheaths are two different materials and have different application prospects.

Multiscale fibril structure of hollow windmill palm fibers

“…The length and diameter of the single fiber in leaf sheath studied by H. K. Wang were 710.89 ± 125.61 µm and 12.77 ± 2.67 µm, respectively. 21 The macrofibril bundles had a mean diameter of about 3 µm. The macrofibril had an average diameter of 620 nm, and an average length of 81 µm.…”

“…17–20 The diversity in vascular bundle types, shape, surface, and tissue proportions and the value of vascular bundles and their mechanical properties such as the apparent Young’s modulus and compressive strength were studied. 21 Because of the unique structure of hollowness, windmill palm fiber applications are mainly sound absorption materials 22 and activated carbon adsorption materials. 23 , 24 Activated carbon windmill palm fibers have the highest specific surface area, 1320 m 2 /g, and a total pore volume of 1.416 cm 3 /g.…”

Radial variability of fibrovascular bundle properties of salacca (Salacca zalacca) fronds cultivated on Turi Agrotourism in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…Darwis et al (2013) disclosed that the oil palm trunk has stronger vascular bundles on the outer position than the inner counterparts. Meanwhile, salacca FVB has lower tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, compared to natural fibers (Zhu et al 2019), and these values are higher, compared to non-wood natural fibers (Srivaro et al 2018b) and some fibrovascular bundles of several other palms investigated by Zhai et al (2013). The fibrovascular bundle has vascular tissue that plays a role in reducing strength, which is why the mechanical properties of FVB are lower than those of natural fibers, while natural fibers are composed purely of sclerenchyma fibers.…”

Effect of acetylation modification on the structure and properties of windmill palm fiber

“…2 Among these green fibers, windmill palm fiber extracted from windmill palm sheath meshes has unrivalled toughness. It offers the highest elongation at break and excellent energy absorption ability, [3][4][5][6] acoustic insulation, 7,8 as well as ultraviolet resistance. 9 Currently, the windmill palm tree represents an essential resource for economic and social life in China.…”