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Brahea edulis

Accession Count: 4
Common Name: Guadalupe palm
Family Name: Arecaceae
Botanical Name: Brahea edulis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: A palm, slow growing as much as 12" annually, faster than Brahea armata, with a mature size of 45' high and 15' wide and a lifespan of 50-150 years. It has fragrant, white to pale yellow, separate male and female flowers, clustered together on relatively wide and fluffy plumes, which bloom in spring. The round fruit are the largest of the Brahea, 0.75" - 1.3" in diameter, green ripening to golden brown to black, with thin sweet flesh having a date-like or caramel taste when eaten fresh. The leaves are green, have a wide fan shape with a center rib, and divide half-way past the stalk into many long fingers. The leaf stalks have small or non-existent spines. Dead fronds tend to drop off on their own, leaving the palm without a petticoat typically seen on other palms. The trunk grows to a 1.5' diameter with a deep taproot. 
Compound: Bra edu
Geographic Origin: Guadalupe Island, Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This palm originated on Guadalupe Island, Mexico, where it has been endangered for some time. Goats introduced to the island more than a century ago eat its young seedlings, leaving only tall, old palms. 
The flowers attract insects, the fruit attracts birds. 
Cultivation Notes:
This palm is hardy to 18°F (1) and is severely damaged at 15°F (UA Grounds Staff, Personal communication).  Locate this plant in full sun and avoid heavy shade. Water deeply 1-2 times a month, except water weekly when temperatures are over 85°F. Additional water speeds growth. It needs very well drained soil, but is tolerant of soil types otherwise, accepting a soil pH range of 6.1-9.0 (slightly acidic to highly alkaline). It is salt tolerant. A magnesium (Mg) deficiency might occur in highly alkaline soil; this will appear as leaflets that are yellow from the tip to about half-way up but the center will stay green. A palm fertilizer with magnesium can be applied late winter to early spring to correct the problem and/or to provide faster growth. Propagation is by fresh seed, which takes 2-4 months to germinate. Seed more than one month old may not be viable.
Ethnobotany: This palm is cultivated in many climate-suitable regions of the world as a popular garden ornamental. 
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season: Spring
Color: White
Function: Habitat
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
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Brahea edulis