X Butiagrus nabonnandii (Mule palm)

Botanical Information

FamilyArecaceae
Genusx Butiagrus
Speciesnabonnandii
SynonymsSyagrus x fairchildiana
OriginOccasionally found in the wild in South America, Mule palms are an intergenetic hybrid.  They are grown from seeds taken from Butia capitata (Pindo Palm) which have been fertilized with the pollen from Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm).

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone8a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-12.2) to above 4.5
Temperature (°F)10 - 40
Height10 m
Spread5 m
GrowthFast

Description and Growing Information

ShapeSingle upright trunk with full canopy.
LandscapeFocal or accent points.
PropagationPalms must be carefully propagated by hand cross pollination, germinating the resultant cross bred seeds.
CultivationGrows best with some shade to full sun in a variety of soils as long as it is well-drained.
Notable SpecimensHarry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSingle; 30 - 75 cm thick; clean trunk in most older individuals; younger plants have unsplit leaf bases retained on trunk with a heavy weave of thick brown fiber.
Leaf DescriptionPinnate; 3-4 m long leaves; over 100 leaflets per side per leaf, very closely spaced; leaves mild to moderately 'V'; leaflet droop varies from almost none to over half leaflet length; dull to medium green in colour.
Flower DescriptionA densely branched Inflorescence, 60 cm long, arching and drooping, tan spathe often retained above each inflorescence, flowers light yellow.
Fruit DescriptionMedium green turning orange when ripe; spherical; 2 cm in diameter.
Texture DescriptionSlightly curved trunks have coconut-like appearance.

Photographs