GUADALUPE PALM: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, USES, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2024

The Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis), or Guadalupe palm, is a species of palm belonging to the Arecaceae family. Its name is due to its origin, being endemic to Guadalupe Island, in Baja California, the Mexican peninsula. It is used as an ornamental plant outdoors

-Species: Brahea edulis

The Guadalupe palm is also known as Erythea edulis.

Habitat and distribution

It generally inhabits limestone soils and dry forests. It is achieved on well-drained land, any type of soil, even where the nutrient content is very low.

This palm is distributed in southwestern North America and in Mexico. On the Island of Guadalupe it grows naturally on hills or rocky slopes, whose vegetation is semi-desert. It grows from 0 to 1000 meters above sea level.

It supports up to 10-11 ° C below zero, so its habitat is usually located in warm or cold areas. Also, it grows best in areas with little precipitation.

Currently, this palm is in danger of extinction and is reported on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2011). The palm trees that survive are adult individuals that are out of reach of goats.

The bark of Brahea edulis is grayish and cracked. Source: Steve L. Martin

Applications

The fruit is edible both raw and cooked, consuming the sweet pulp it contains. The tender apical shoot is cooked and used as a vegetable.

The harvest in nature is used to feed the locals.

Another use of the Guadalupe palm is as an outdoor ornamental, since they are highly valued aesthetically from their youth phase. It is unknown if this palm has medicinal use.

Care

Floor

It adapts to any type of soil (dry or wet), with a pH ranging from acid to alkaline. However, in a fertile soil with good drainage your establishment is assured.

Light

Regarding the light conditions, it is ideal to put it in a position a little protected from the sun, that is, in semi-sun conditions. However, from its youthful state it can withstand direct exposure to the sun.

Irrigation

Waterlogging conditions should be avoided as this palm is susceptible to attack by Phytophthora sp.

Temperature

It is a species that tolerates a few degrees below zero during frost, while growing in a dry and sunny climate.

Germination

The seeds of the Guadalupe palm ripen in warm conditions (not less than 24 ° C), usually in a greenhouse.

These fresh seeds germinate in 3 or 4 months at approximately 25 ° C. Whereas, the stored seed loses viability and is much slower to germinate.

Transplant

The Guadalupe palm has a penetrating root system, so transplantation must be done when the individual is young to ensure its establishment.

To do this, before sowing the seed must be hydrated for 24 hours in warm water and, in this way, reduce the germination time.

For their part, adult individuals are better resistant to cold or temperature changes. For this reason, young plants should remain in pot conditions for a few years in places where the climate is around the limit of tolerance to cold.

2-3 seeds should be sown in deep pots. After germination, the plants must be kept for at least three winters in greenhouse conditions.

References

1. Plants for a future. 2019. Brahea edulis - H. Wendl. ex S. Watson. Taken from: pfaf.org
2. Del Cañizo, JA 2011. Brahea edulis H. Wendland ex S. Watson. In: Palm trees, all genera and 565 species. 3rd ed. Editions Mundi-Prensa. Pages 801-802. Taken from: books.google.co.ve
3. Henderson, A., Galeano, G., Bernal, R. 1995. Brahea edulis. In: Field guide to the palms of the Americas. Princeton University Press. Page 56. Taken from: books.google.co.ve
4. Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Species details: Brahea edulis H.Wendl. ex S. Watson. Taken from: catalogueoflife.org
5. Infojardin. 2019. Guadalupe Palm Brahea edulis. Taken from: chips.infojardin.com
6. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. 2019. Brahea edulis. Taken from: tropical.theferns.info