Common Name: Apak Palm

General Information

Brahea dulcis is usually a single stemmed, evergreen palm growing slowly to an eventual height of 2 - 7.5 metres[]. Rarely, it will produce suckers[]. The unbranched, erect or somewhat leaning stem can be 12 - 20cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of 10 - 15 leaves[].
The plant is gathered from the wild and utilized locally for food and materials[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern N. America - Texas, Mexico and southwards to Nicaragua.

Habitat

Dry woodlands, usually on limestone soils[]. Hillsides in dry, open or wooded areas, often in oak forests, on rocky, calcareous soils at elevations from 300 - 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants grow better in areas of lower rainfall, often growing poorly in areas of higher rainfall[].
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[]. Tolerant of poor dry soils[]. Plants generally grow better in poorer, often alkaline soils, not growing so well in richer, acid soils[]. Plants are drought and heat tolerant[]. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[]. Plants from the north of its range tolerate several degrees of frost if they are growing in a dry sunny climate[].
Plants from the north of its range tolerate several degrees of frost if they are growing in a dry sunny climate[].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. Palms can also often be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[].
A very variable plant, some forms are spreading suckering shrubs[].
The leaves are short-lived, an unusual feature for a palm[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A sweet flavour[, , ]. It is about 2cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching[, ].

Fibres from the leaves are woven into ropes[].

The trunks are used as the frames of native houses[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[]. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[]. Stored seed is very slow to germinate. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing may shorten the germination time. Plants form a long tap-root some time before forming a shoot so it is best to sow 2 - 3 seeds per deep pot. Grow the seedlings on in the greenhouse for at least their first three winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.