Brahea armata

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Plant
ID 1023 Brahea armata
Botanic Name Brahea armata
Common Name Blue Hesper Palm, Mexican Blue-fan Palm
Family Name Arecaceae
Cultivars syn. Erythea armata, Brahea clara, Brahea elegans, Brahea glauca, Brahea lucida, Brahea nobilis, Brahea roezlii, Erythea armata, Erythea clara, Erythea elegans, Erythea roezlii, Glaucothea armata, Glaucothea elegans
Origin North America, South California, Mexico, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Palm / Cycad
Bark Type Leaf scars or bases
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 16
Growth Habit Standard Growth Rate Slow
Height 10 - 15 m (33 - 50 ft) Spread 7 m (23 ft)
Plant Overview
This palm has a solitary greyish trunk that is closely ringed and capped with a rounded crown of bluish-green fan-like fronds with stiff spiny stalks. It has small yellow bell-shaped flowers that appear in a long pendulous cluster during summer.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Palmate
The stiff waxy palmate fronds have tapering segments that reach half way into the leaf blades (Costapalmate) and up to 2 m (6 ft) long. The long petiole is armed with downward facing spines and the frond arches with age. Spent fronds form a skirt.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Blue - green
Size 1000 - 2000 mm ( 39.4 - 78.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Cyathiform
The small bisexual cyathiform flowers are cream to yellow with 3 petals and sepals that are slightly joined towards the base.They are arranged in an arching panicle the is up to 4 m (12 ft) long and is enclosed in a rounded woody bract.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Yellow
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Drupe Additional Information
Colour Brown
The drupe is spherical up to 25 mm (1 in) in diameter and is slightly flattened on one side and has a fleshy mesocarp that is sweet tasting.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive No
Size 20 - 25 mm ( 0.8 - 1.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained poor, moist sandy to gravelly soil, limestone based pH 6.5-8.0
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes when young
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to semi-shade, open position, drought-heat, mildly frost tolerant
Pest & Diseases No major pest or disease problem, disliked root disturbance
Fertiliser Keep moist during summer, if container grown apply half strength liquid fertiliser monthly
Pruning Not normally required, remove spent fronds as required
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Blue Hesper Palm is a stately palm that is grown foliage colour. It is grown in parks and large gardens as a specimen or used in avenue plantings and can be used as a windbreak. It is also grown in arid gardens tolerating hot dry conditions.
Sow fresh seed during spring and maintain a temperature of 19 to 27 C (66 to 81 F). The seeds may take up to 3 months to germinate.
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