Common Name: Guadalupe Palm

General Information

Brahea edulis is a slow-growing, single-stemmed evergreen palm growing 10 - 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be up to 40cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of about 20 large leaves[, ].
It is harvested from the wild and utilized locally for food[]. The plant is widely grown as an ornamental[, ].
Introduced feral goats predate the seeds and are believed to be inhibiting natural regeneration. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

South-western N. America - Mexico.

Habitat

Dry woodlands, usually on limestone soils[]. Steep, rocky slopes[]. Dry scrub on rocky volcanic slopes and cliffs on the foggy north-west slope of Guadalupe Island[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Brahea edulis is a plant of subtropical to tropical areas. Plants grow better in areas of lower rainfall, often growing poorly in areas of higher rainfall[]. Tolerant of some frost[]. This species tolerates several degrees of frost if it is growing in a dry sunny climate[].
Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[]. 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 are tolerant of winds and salty conditions[].
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[].

Edible Uses

The sweet pulp of the fruit is eaten[, ]. It is about 35mm in diameter[].

Young apical bud - cooked and used as a vegetable[, ]. Eating this bud effectively kills the tree since it is unable to produce side shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.