Brahea is a palm genus of the Arecaceae family, and is named after the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. The genus includes 11 palm species that are mostly native to Mexico and Central America, and are notable for their fan-shaped leaves. Brahea palms, which are also known as Hesper palms, are popular as ornamental landscape plants, and some of the commonly seen ones are the San Jose Hesper palm, the Blue Hesper palm and the Guadalupe palm.
The San Jose Hesper palm is a very stately palm that is often used to line streets or garden paths. It is known to reach heights of 42 feet (12.8 m) or more, and has a cylindrical trunk that can measure about a foot (0.30 m) in diameter. The trunk bears scar rings of leaf stems that have been removed or fallen off. The stiff, palmate leaves are generally three feet (0.91 m) long, and the whole spread of the palm can be around 18 feet (5.48 m).
With its distinctive bluish, circular leaves, the Blue Hesper palm is very attractive looking specimen that can add a great visual effect to any landscape. These palms grow to be about 50 feet (15.24 m) tall, and their leaves may have a total spread of 16 ft (4.88 m). The trunk is scarred, and, if the dried leaves are not regularly removed, they can remain on the trunk, skirting it from top to bottom. The margins of the leaf stems are lined with sharp thorns. The whitish palm flowers are produced in clusters on bunches of long, projecting cords, and the brown palm fruit is round and shiny.
The Guadalupe palm, which is smaller in size than the San Jose Hesper and the Blue Hesper, is native to Guadalupe Island in the Pacific Ocean. It only grows to heights of about 30 feet (9.14 m), developing a trunk diameter of one and a half feet (0.46 m) in diameter. The Guadalupe palm is the only Brahea variety that has an unblemished trunk; no leaf stem scars are present. This palm produces a blackish fruit.
These types of palms do well in a sunny, dry climate, and should preferably be grown in a well-drained soil. They do not need to be watered frequently, and, aside from regular removal of dried leaves, their maintenance requirements are rather minimum. Brahea palms can grow quite fast and, since they can get to be very tall, this factor should be considered when planting them; it is best to avoid areas with overhead electric wires or cables.
