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We have two large Chinese windmill palm trees in our front garden here in Essex, England. They're around 15 feet tall, and absolutely beautiful.
They have a large amount of fruit near the top, small dark purple berries on bright yellow/orange stems.
I'm curious as to what they are, whether they're edible. I know acai come from palm trees, wondering if these are anything similar.
The fruit is usually not consumed, but is occasionally used for medical purposes in some countries - it has a haemostatic effect, meaning it clots blood, and may be used to make a solution for use as a contraceptive. There are more efficient ways to do both those things, obviously; it doesn't sound like the fruits are eaten for their flavour.
Its interesting you've got fruit though - it means they are female plants, and there must be a male in the vicinity somewhere for fruit to be produced. Other parts of the plant can be used for edible purposes, see here http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Trachycarpus+fortunei
