Item #: 3363-2
Availability: In Stock
In Stock Quantity: 68
Price: $133.00
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    Clear Trunk Height:

    How we measure palms



    Conditions for Growth

    Native to Baja California, it is quite possible that no palm is better suited to grow in Riverside, CA, or for that matter, most of Southern California's inland and desert areas. This palm will endure drought, extreme desert heat and tempuratures down to 20 degrees. This hardy palm is not susceptible to any diseases. Plant the Brahea brandegeei in arid soil in a sunny spot and watch it take off for years to come.

    Growth Rate and Size

    The San Jose Hesper has a moderate growth rate of about 7-9 inches a year at the grove in Riverside and is known to shoot upwards of 40 to 70 feet, and is said to even reach 100 feet in its natural habitat. We have a fantastic 70-80 year old specimen in Riverside that must be over 70 feet, and is about 25 feet shorter than a nearby W. robusta of similar age.  

    In cooler areas along the coast the San Jose Hesper will appreciate full sun, and a specimen that is shaded for a good part of the day by a large building building may never exceed 25-35 feet. Resembling the Washingtonia Robusta, the Hesper is quite hardy and will endure the sweltering heat and punishing winds of the Southern California valleys and deserts, yet it is also tolerant of warm, humid conditions. In Riverside, the Brahea brandegeei grows at a moderate pace, eventually developing a 15-foot crown. The trunk is about 1 foot in diameter. In late spring, this palm grows short flowers stalks that do not extend beyond the leaves, yielding small fruit.

    Description

    Persistent leaf bases form a small skirt on the trunk on young trees. Cut leaf bases form a rough but attractive spiral pattern and are fibrous. Mature trees denuded of leaf bases and will self-clean. The bare trunk is somewhat corky, but appears smooth, lightly ringed and attractive. Leaf blades are thin, light green and segmented about half way, yellowing at the ends. Slender petioles just over 3 feet long, often gently hanging, lightly armed. The leaf is also about the same length. The inflorescence is shorter than the crown of leaves.

    Brahea brandegeei

    Brahea brandegeei

    Landscape Environment

    Grow Region: 9a-11

    Origin: Baja and Northwest Mexico

    Drought Tolerance: Very High

    Cold Tolerance: Moderate 25-30 F

    Salt Tolerance: Moderate

    Soil: Alkaline

    Light: Full sun

    Charateristics

    Mature Height: 40-90 feet

    Trunk: corky, rough rings, slender, grey , solitary

    Leaf: segmented halfway, white waxy underside, about 3 feet long, 40 to 70 per crown

    Leaf Petiole: slender with spines, about 3.5 feet long

    Armature: spiny

    Color: light green

    Flowers:

    Fruit: small, oblong spherical, brown when ripe

    Human Uses: Ornamental

    Classification

    Subfamily: Coryphoideae

    Tribe: Corypheae

    Subtribe: Livistoninae