Practical
Plants

Brahea armata

Blue Hesper Palm

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Brahea genus in the family Palmae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Palmae
Genus
Brahea
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
12 m
Spread
4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[6]. There are no edible uses listed for Brahea armata.

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Mexico.
Habitat
Dry woodlands, usually on limestone soils[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[2]. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[1]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[4]. Tolerant of poor dry soils[3]. Plants are drought and heat tolerant[5]. 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[3][5]. 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[4]. 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[4]. 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[4].

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  2. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. McMillan-Browse. P. Palms for Cooler Climates. Trebah Enterprises. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0 9521952 0 8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    ↩

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