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Brahea (syn. Erythea, one of the Hesperides, Daughter of Evening). Palmaceae, tribe Corypheae, Palms with solitary, often robust, spineless caudices, ringed at the base, clothed above with dead leaf-sheaths.
Leaves terminal, the younger ones tomentose in some species, glabrous in others, orbicular, flabellately many-parted, the lobes lacerated at the apex, intermingled with fibers, infolded; rachis short; ligule long; petiole stout, slender and arching in some species, smooth or spiny along the margins: spadices usually paniculate, long, white tomentose; branches stout; spathes many, sheathing the peduncle, thick-coriaceous, densely tomentose; bracts and bractlets distinct; fls. pale: fr. globose or ovoid.—Species 5, Mex.
This small group of American palms includes E. armata, which is known locally as the "blue palm," and E. edulis, the latter commonly known as the "Guadaloupe palm," from the fact that it has been found in a wild state only on the island of Guadaloupe, off the coast of Lower California. Erytheas bear much resemblance to Brahea, the segments of the leaves bearing whitish filaments. In the gardens of Santa Barbara, the erytheas in a few years form very handsome trees, but in less-favored latitudes they may be cultivated in the same manner as kentias or latanias, flourishing in a night temperature of 50" to 55° when grown in a rich and open soil and abundantly supplied with water.
The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.
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