Brahea armata      
Mexican blue palm    
Arecacea Family     

young Brahea armata

Form: single trunked fan palm
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: to 30ft tall; frond spread 8-10ft; slow growing
Leaves: 2-5ft fan; dusty blue
Flowers: large pendulant inflorescence almost to the ground; cream colored flowers are fragrant; blooms in summer
Fruit: reddish brown drupe 1/2 to 3/4in long; the fruite is green at first
Stems/Trunks: stocky trunk with ridges; 2 ft wide; yellow spines and brown hairs
Range/Origin: Baja California
Hardiness: 18°F; tolerates greater extremes of heat, cold and wind than do most palms

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• tropical effect
• accent
• does well in lawns
• looks good in groups
• outdoor container when young

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, part shade; takes reflective heat and intense heat
• Water: low to medium; thoroughly soad root zone every month or two
• Soil: well-drained sand soil; not for wet places
• Propagation: seed
• Maintenance: remove dead leaves for a better appearance; remove root stalk to avoid litter; difficult to transplant as a large tree; fertilize as recommended for all palms

young specimen

mature group of Mexican blue palms

 

Research by Master Gardener Barbara Schneidau

NOTES:

Brahea to honor Danish astronomer Tyco Brahe.
takes wind
Some find it more attractive when young. In maturity the trunk is stocky and the leaves less of a blue color

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This page was first created February 10, 2006 and last modified May 29, 2007.

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