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Brahea dulcis - (Kunth.)C.Mart.

Common Name Apak Palm
Family Arecaceae or Palmae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry woodlands, usually on limestone soils[200].
Range Southern N. America - Texas, Mexico and southwards.
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 dulcis Apak Palm


http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TbeSlyXqM3fg_c-OR7ZvkQ
Brahea dulcis Apak Palm
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TbeSlyXqM3fg_c-OR7ZvkQ

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Brahea dulcis is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked, A sweet flavour[2]. 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

Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[231]. Tolerant of poor dry soils[200]. Plants from the north of its range tolerate several degrees of frost if they are growing in a dry sunny climate[200]. 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]. A very variable plant, some forms are spreading suckering shrubs[231]. The leaves are short-lived, an unusual feature for a palm[231].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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 (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Guatemala

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 armataBlue Hesper Palm, Blue Fan Palm, Mexican Blue PalmTree12.0 9-11 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

(Kunth.)C.Mart.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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