Brahea armata
brah-HEE-uhar-MAH-tuh

Mexican Blue Palm, Gray Goddess, Blue Palm
Palmae (Palm family)
Origin: Baja California and Central America

Species characteristics:
Form - Fan palm. Slow growing to 40'. Dense canopy of stiff fronds contrast with graceful inflorescences that arch downward.

Trunk - Gray trunk with ringed appearance. Covered with a skirt of old leaves.

Foliage - Silvery blue leaves with 30 - 50 folds divided nearly to the middle with a waxy surface. Leaf segments are 6 - 8' long with fans of 3' long by 4' wide. Petioles of 3' have many strong hook-like spine-teeth.

Flowers/fruit - Creamy white to yellow inflorescences that extend well beyond foliage are followed by 3/4" yellow drupes with brown stripes. When ripe the globular fruits turn black.

No significant pest problems are known at this time. .

Site suitability:
Sunset zones - 10,12 - 17,19 - 24.

Clearances -Suitable for 3' parkways or cutouts. Suitable under utility lines for many years due to slow growth.

Good for medians, parks and lawns.

Culture considerations:
Tolerates heat and wind as well as temperatures to 18 degrees. Prune immediately after flowering period to avoid excessive seed drop.