Butia capitata (Jelly Palm)
Botanical Information
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Genus | Butia |
| Species | capitata |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The fruit is edible and tastes a mixture of pineapple, apricot and vanilla. The taste varies depending on soil conditions but can also have a mixed taste of apple, pineapple and banana. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 5 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 30 - 40 |
| Height | 4 - 6 m |
| Spread | 2 - 4 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Twisted and distorted. |
| Cultivation | Full sun in moist and well-drained soil. |
| Notable Specimens | Trewidden Garden, Penzance, Cornwall, England. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The trunk is thick and stout. |
| Leaf Description | Feather palm pinnate leaves that arch inwards towards the trunk. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are large, appearing on auxilary or terminal racemes. |
| Fruit Description | Ripe fruit are the size of a large cherry. The fruit is tart and sweet with a flesh similar to a loquat but slightly more fibrous. |
| Colour Description | The fruit is yellowish-orange. The leaves are green. |
| Texture Description | The branches are rough. |
Photographs
Butia capitata, form. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Butia capitata, form. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Butia capitata, bark. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Awards
