Difference between revisions of "Brahea edulis"

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Revision as of 07:46, 16 June 2012

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Florida
Brahea edulis
Brahea edulis Huntington.jpg
Huntington Gardens
Scientific Classification
Genus: Brahea
Species: edulis
Synonyms
Erythaea edulis
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Palmately compound
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Guadalupe palm, Guadalupe Fan Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Southwest N. America - Mexico. Dry woodlands, usually in limestone deposits. Native Range: Native to Guadalupe Island off of the Western coast of Mexico. The Guadalupe Island Palm is now grown worldwide as an ornamental.

Description

Hight: 12m. Spread: 4m. Growth rate: Slow. It is hardy, thru zone 9. Flowers: monoecious ( both male and female ). The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires fast draining soil, and will grow in nutritionally poor soil. This Palm, prefers acid, neutral, and basic (alkaline) soils. It will not grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil. Although, there have been no reports of edibility, the fruit is almost certainly edible either raw or cooked[K]. It is about 35mm in diameter. Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position. Tolerant of poor dry soils. This species, tolerates several degrees of frost, if it is growing in a dry sunny climate.

Culture

Trees are quite wind and salt hardy. They thrive in drier subtropical conditions and don't do as well with constant humidity. Grow in almost any soil type, water is need infrequently, and once extablished, the plants need little or no care. Propagation: By seeds, which take 3-6 months to germinate.

Curiosities

Brahea edulis (Guadalupe Palm) - Endangered in its own habitat on the Guadalupe Islands, this palm is becoming popular in other parts of the world. The sweet pulp from the fruit adds to its attraction, along with its bluish-green fan leaves. It grows to 30 feet tall, and drops its dead leaves forming scars on the trunk where the leaves once were. It takes full sun with only occasional summer rain, and does well along the coast. Fruit generally eaten fresh or used to make preserves.

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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