Mexican Palm, Sombrero palm
Brahea dulcis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary evergreen palm tree. It grows to 6 m high and spreads to 2 m across. The stem is erect and slender. It can have one or several trunks. They can be thick or thin. The fronds are spread out like fingers on a hand. They are deeply divided into stiff segments and are fanlike. The leaves are covered with a mealy white powder at least when young. The leaf stalks have saw tooth edges. The fruiting talks are 2 m long and hang over. The flowers are very small. The fruit are yellow and oval. They are 1 cm long and juicy. They are edible. They contain one seed. The seed is oval and 1 cm long.

There are about 12-16 Brahea species. They all grow in Mexico.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in temperate and tropical regions. It does best in rich, sandy soils. It can grow in poor skeletal soils in rocky areas. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is drought resistant and frost tolerant. It grows in semi-arid places. It needs well drained soil. It grows in open woodland between 320 and 1760 m altitude in Central America. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Belize, Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also made into preserves. The tender part of the palm heart is boiled, roasted or eaten raw.

Fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Berries, fruit, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed grow easily. They take 3-6 months to germinate. Seed should be sown fresh after a good soaking.

It is relatively slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Apak palm, Capulin, Miche, Michire, Palma criolla, Palma de abanico, Palma dulce, Palma de sombrero, Rock palm, Suyate

Synonyms

Acoelorraphe cookii Bartlett; Acoelorraphe salvadorensis (H.Wendl.ex Becc.) Bartlett; Brahea bella L.H.Bailey; Brahea berlandieri Bartlett; Brahea calcarea Liebm.; Brahea conzattii Bartlett; Brahea dulcis var. montereyensis Becc.; Brahea salvadorensis H. Wendl. ex Becc.; Corypha dulcis Kunth; Corypha frigida Mohl ex Mart.; Erythea salvadorensis (H.Wendl. ex Becc.)H.E.Moore;