Family: Arecaceae

Brahea armata, commonly known as the blue hesper palm or Mexican blue palm, is a striking, slow-growing palm native to the arid regions of Baja California. It is admired for its powdery blue-gray, fan-shaped leaves and sturdy trunk, giving it a bold architectural presence in landscapes. This drought-tolerant palm thrives in full sun and low-water conditions, making it a popular choice for ornamental plantings in warm, dry climates.

In Hawaiʻi, Brahea armata is not known to be naturalized, and there is currently no evidence of it spreading on its own. However, like many drought-tolerant ornamental palms, it has traits—such as its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and produce abundant seeds—that warrant some caution.

High Risk Traits:

• Frequently introduced outside native range
  
• Spiny leaf stems (physical deterrent)
  
• Dead leaves retain fire fuel
  
• Host to red palm weevil (serious pest)
  
• Bird-dispersed fleshy fruits
  
• High seed production per inflorescence

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized or weedy
  
• Not shade tolerant
  
• Does not climb or form thickets
  
• Large seeds, not easily unintentionally dispersed
  
• Not wind- or water-dispersed
  
• No vegetative reproduction