Care of the tree Beaucarnea beldingii or Elephant's-foot |
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The genus Beaucarnea, family Asparagaceae, includes about 15 species of tropical trees native to Mexico and Central America. Some species are: Beaucarnea beldingii, Beaucarnea hiriartiae, Beaucarnea gracilis, Beaucarnea goldmanii, Beaucarnea recurvata, Beaucarnea guatemalensis. Common name: Elephant's-foot. Scientific synonym: Nolina beldingii. This species is native to Baja California, México. They are low-branched, slow-growing tropical trees that reach 6 meters (19,68 feet) in height. The long, thin (up to 1 meter/3.28 feet in length) bluish-green leaves appear in rosettes and have serrated margins. The small cream-colored flowers appear in long branching inflorescences up to 2 meters (6.56 feet) in length. They bloom in summer. The fruits are woody capsules 1 cm (0.39") in diameter. They are used in rockeries, on dry slopes, as isolated specimens, in cactus and succulent gardens and in pots that are wider than deep when they are young. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. Beaucarnea beldingii grows in full sun and light shade exposures. It resists frost down to -10 ºC (14 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in the same proportions, of normal garden soil and coarse sand. It is important that the drainage is excellent. Water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry completely; in winter they keep up with the rains. They are very resistant to drought plants. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are plants sensitive to excess watering that rot the roots. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in the seedbed but it is a very slow process. |
Images of the tree Beaucarnea beldingii or Elephant's-foot |
 Beaucarnea beldingii  Beaucarnea beldingii |