Chinese windmill palm
Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) Wendl.
(Arecaceae)

Trachycarpus fortunei is an arborescent species of palm, which can attain a height of several meters.  It is native to China.  Trachycarpus is not currently known to occur outside of cultivation in Arkansas, but is cultivated in the state.  It also produces viable seed in Arkansas (seeds collected from a reproductive palm of this species growing in Arkansas have been germinated, and the offspring have survived and continue to grow). 
Trachycarpus could be confused with the native palm,  Sabal minor (dwarf palmetto), but can be distinguished by its arborescent habit, and conspicuously raised hastula (a small portion of the blade that occurs at the base of the blade just proximal to the petiole).  Sabal minor is generally not arborescent in Arkansas (it lacks an above ground trunk), and its hastula is flush with the surface of the lamina. The "petiole" of palm leaves is somewhat different from a true petiole and is actually termed a pseudopetiole.  

Figures for Trachycarpus fortunei:
A-B. leaf;
C. raised hastula;
D. inflorescences;
E. immature (very young) fruits;
F. mature fruits;
G. trunk (younger);
H. trunk (older);
I. juveniles (from seeds produced in Arkansas);
J-K. plant and habit (two views);
L. older plant.

List of Species with the Potential to Become Spontaneous or Naturalized 

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