Brahea edulis

Brahea edulis H. Wendl ex S. Watson

Family: Arecaceae

Common name: Guadaloupe palm

This palm is native to the island of Guadaloupe but is also cultivated in California and other regions with a Mediterranean climate. It has an erect trunk that can reach a height of up to 10 meters, with a crown of rigid, palmate-shaped leaves at the top. The flowers are yellowish in color and form long, branched inflorescences, while the fruits are spherical, about 2-3 cm in diameter, dark-colored, and have edible flesh.

This species is commonly found in parks and gardens of mild climate regions, and is appreciated for its elegance and the beauty of its flowers and fruits in ornamental settings.

The generic name, Brahea, refers to the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, while the specific epithet, edulis, highlights the edible nature of its fruits.