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Erythea edulis

Guadalupe palm

A slow growing, single stemmed palm with large, pleated, fan-shaped leaves emerging from the plant up to 12m (40ft). Leaves are mid-green in colour, eventually arching downwards. The trunk is, grey-brown, being thickest at the base and tapering upwards. In summer mature trees bear cream flowers on branched stems (panicles), followed by edible green-brown fruit

Synonyms
Erythea edulis
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream Green Green Brown
Autumn Green Green Brown
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Arecaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Brahea is a genus of palms, endemic to Mexico and Central America. Also called hesper palms, they all have large, fan-shaped leaves.

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Guadalupe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. Sow seed at 23-27°C (73-81°F) in spring. In growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Pot on or topdress in spring. See: palm cultivation indoors. Outdoors, grow in well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate poor dry soil. Tolerates average winter temperatures in southern, urban and coastal regions of UK once mature.

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

No pruning required. Remove the lowest withered leaves (fronds) to improve appearances and leave a clear trunk.

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and scale insects.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Get involved

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