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BUTIA CAPITATA

THE PINDO PALM or

THE JELLY PALM

New World Palm - Medium Height - Cold Hardy - Various Forms & Colors 

by Phil Bergman

Description of Article

This article is about the water conserving and medium sized Butia capitata palm species.  This is a pinnate palm that rarely gets much over twenty feet tall and is very cold hardy.  This article describes the species, shows pictures of it, talks about the different leaf colors and about how to grow it.  Known as a xerophytic species, Butia capitata is also good for those trying to save water.

Introduction

This South American pinnate palm is rather rarely seen in gardens because of limited availability.  Yet, it has so many attributes it should be used more.  It never gets much above twenty feet tall, takes full hot sun (even in the desert) and is water conserving.  And, as a bonus the fruit is edible and sweet.  Many people make jelly from the fruit.  Below you'll learn that there are differences in leaf color from green to blue.  We've found that enthusiasts love the rare blue form as shown below.  Also of interest is that the genus Butia is a great palm to use for creating inter-generic hybrids.  Finally, the Jelly Palm has excellent cold tolerance and can be grown in traditionally cold areas where few palm species survive.

Common Names: 

Type of Plant: 

Sun Tolerance:

 Butia capitata is a full sun species, even in the desert.  In fact, they languish and usually do poorly in the shade.

Mature Height:

  In our locality The Pindo Palm reaches a mature height typically of about twenty feet.  And, it'll take about 20 years to reach this height.

Leaves: 

The leaves a type of feather type leaf typically six to eight feet long. The leaves definitely have a curve to them, bending at their ends toward the ground.  This makes the crown of leaves more compact.  Most people would consider these leaves to be un-armed but close inspection shows rudimentary and blunted spines at the proximal ends.  But, because of their dullness, they are not intimidating at all.

Leaf Color: 

There are two colors to the leaves and shades between these colors.  There is the more common "green form" and the sought after "blue form". (see pictures below).  And, there are many plants with leaf colors somewhere in-between.

Trunk: 

 The trunk of Butia capitata is anywhere from fourteen to twenty inches thick.  The trunk will retain not unattractive leaf bases that eventually fall off.

Cold Tolerance:  

This species is remarkably cold hardy and probably in the tops five most cold hardy types of palms.  Most agree that the Pindo Palm can take somewhere down to the 15 degree F. range.

Fruit: 

 The seeds of the Jelly Palm are covered with a supple yellow to gold colored fruit that is not only very fragrant but also edible.  It is used to make jelly or other foods.

Growth Rate: 

 Medium - Mature height takes at least 20 feet to develop. 

Native Habitat: 

 This species is native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Other Species of Butia: 

As mentioned, there are about twenty other types of Butia that have been described.   Very few are offered for sale.  Recent research has expanded the number of species known.  Some that you may find available include Butia eriospatha, archeri, paraguayensis, bonetti, ordorata and yatay.

Landscape Usages: 

This species should be given room as the width of the crown can easily be over ten feet or more wide.  Almost everyone grows them as a single specimen and not as a closely grown colony.  It would be wise to give ample "viewing room" with space around the palm for enjoying its appearance.

Butia Hybrids: 

  Interestingly, the genus of Butia has proven to be quite easy to hybridize (cross) with other genera.  Some of these inter-generic hybrids have proven to be very popular and good growing plants.  The Mule Palm is a cross with the common Queen Palm.  Crosses with Jubaea (either with the Jubaea or Butia being the seed bearer mother plant) have also proven to be very popular.  We usually have Mule Palms available and sometimes Jubaea crosses.  For photos, see below.
 

Mule Palm
Butia capitata x Queen Palm hybrid

Other Butia Hybrids
Jubaea chilensis x Butia capitata

Other Butia species
And, other hybrids