Brahea Calcarea?

[Jan Jo]

Hi,

I recently bought this palm sold to me as Brahea Calcarea, but I'm starting to wonder whether it really is what it says it is... does anyone recognise it from these pics? What makes me doubt, is the fact the petioles seem to be ever so slightly armed, and I thought in this species they weren't at all? Could it be something this young plant grows out of, or are the petioles of B Calcarea smooth all its life? Any ideas?

Thanks! 

Jan Jo 

 

[Firepalm]

Based on how blue that plant looks at such a young age (unless it is just a weird exposure and the plant is actually greener than it looks), I would guess that it is probably not B. Calcarea.  I have been growing a B. Calcarea for the past several years and it never has even a hint of armament or blue color on the tops of the leaves.  The bottoms of the leaves are very white, but the tops are essentially green with maybe a bit of gray/white at the edges.  Total guess on my part, but your plant looks like Brahea Armata.

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

Looks like Armata to me. Those thorns will be bigger when the leaves get bigger

[Josh-O]

I don't see any tomentum on the petiole which makes me think its Clara

 

is it possible to get a close up of the petiole

[sergiskan]

17 minutes ago, Josh-O said:

I don't see any tomentum on the petiole which makes me think its Clara

 

is it possible to get a close up of the petiole

+1

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

1 hour ago, Josh-O said:

I don't see any tomentum on the petiole which makes me think its Clara

 

is it possible to get a close up of the petiole

Good point Josh. I have a blue Clara that looks just like it.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Based on the size, color, lack of tomentum I think it is a Clara, but it could still turn out to be an armata.  Either way that plant is asking for more sun.

[Jan Jo]

Thanks for the comments! Well if I've been duped and it isn't Calcarea, I'd prefer it to be Clara rather than Armata, of which I already have 2... I'll try to get another pic of the petioles.. I ordered it online based on this pic

Leaves look greener on top for sure.. can't tell if this has the same petiole...

Hmmm...

[Jan Jo]

Hi! I finally got around to taking some more close-ups of the Brahea in question, can anyone tell me whether it might be Armata or Clara from these pics? 

Thanks in advance!

J