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Brahea armata - S.Watson.

Common Name Blue Hesper Palm, Blue Fan Palm, Mexican Blue Palm
Family Arecaceae or Palmae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry woodlands, usually on limestone soils[200].
Range South-western N. America - Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Brahea armata Blue Hesper Palm, Blue Fan Palm, Mexican Blue Palm


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stickpen
Brahea armata Blue Hesper Palm, Blue Fan Palm, Mexican Blue Palm
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Palm.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Brahea armata is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Although we have seen no reports of edibility, the fruit is almost certainly edible either raw or cooked[K]. It is about 2cm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses: Specimen. Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[231]. Tolerant of poor dry soils[200]. Plants are drought and heat tolerant[260]. This species is not very cold-hardy, though it tolerates several degrees of frost if it is growing in a dry sunny climate and could be tried out of doors in the mildest areas of Britain[200, 260]. Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[231]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[231]. Palms can also often be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[231]. Special Features: North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[188]. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[138]. Stored seed is very slow to germinate. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing may shorten the germination time. Plants form a long tap-root some time before forming a shoot so it is best to sow 2 - 3 seeds per deep pot. Grow the seedlings on in the greenhouse for at least their first three winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Baja, Baja California (Norte), Baja California Sur, Sonora)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Brahea dulcisApak PalmTree7.0 8-11 SLMHNDM10 
Brahea edulisGuadalupe Palm,Tree12.0 9-11 SLMHNDM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

S.Watson.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Thomas Tate   Mon Jan 22 2007

Who has seeds of Brahea armata for sale and will this palm grow in the subtorpics of southeastern Brazil?

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future   Thu Jan 25 2007

I think it quite likely that this palm will succeed in southeastern Brazil, though I have no experience of this. Brahea armata, and other members of this genus, are generally found in dry areas in low woodland or on rocky, limestone soils. They prefer to grow in areas of lower rainfall and usually do better in poorer soils, especially limestone ones. One seed supplier can be found at http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/

Trent Veltkamp   Mon Mar 5 2007

Try Tradewinds Fruit-http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/fruitsscientific.htm- much cheaper and an easy to search site

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