Palms For California

Pronunciation:

Common Name: Mexican Blue Fan Palm

Brahea armata is a relatively common Mexican native frequently grown in Southern California by both landscapers and private growers alike. This is one of the most drought tolerant, cold tolerant and wind tolerant species that can be grown in southern California, and it is easy to grow, as well as highly ornamental, which is why it so commonly used in both public and private landscaping. It is ideal for the deserts of California and does fairly well along the coast (salty winds have some negative effect upon its appearance). Growing this palm among greener palms and vegetation make it stand out even more. It is a variable plant with some forms being nearly green while the most sought after forms have almost white leaves.

Morphology (Identification) Habit: solitary Height: 35 feet Trunk: up to 3' in diameter, mostly clean but dead leaves are retained in younger palms, or near the top of the trunk of older ones. Leaf: palmate Spread: 6'-10' Petiole: armed with hooked, sharp yellowish teeth Foliage: pale green, pale blue or nearly whitish Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: extremely long and droopy, sometimes arching to the ground Fruit: 2cm; green initially, turning yellow and eventually maturing to black Seed: 1-1.2cm

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temperature: 15F Speed of Growth: very slow at first, but moderate once a trunk has formed Drought Tolerance: very drought tolerant Wind Tolerance: high Heat Tolerance: high Soil Preference: very tolerant of a wide variety of soils Light Requirement: full sun Uses: Propagation: Human Hazards: sharp, hooked teeth on petioles Disease Problems:

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  Mature palms in Los Angeles

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  Maturing palms in inland Los Angeles