Butia capitata (Jelly Palm)
Pindo Palm, Jelly Palm, South American Jelly Palm, Wine Palm, Cocos capitata
Slow-growing, Butia capitata (Jelly Palm) is a handsome small evergreen palm with a stout solitary trunk crowned with blue-green to gray-green leaves that curve in towards the trunk. The pinnately compound leaves, 3-6 ft. (90-180 cm), form a dense, full crown and arch gracefully creating a slightly weeping effect. Each leaf has 25-60 pairs of slender leaflets which ascend from the spiny leaf stalk to form a V-shape. The heavy trunk is patterned with the stubs of old leaves. In summer, small, creamy-yellow, fruity-scented flowers appear in long spikes, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm). They are followed by showy clusters of orange-yellow, sweet, edible fruits, as large as dates, and rich with a pineapple flavor. Easy to grow, Jelly Palm is salt, heat, and drought tolerant and among the hardiest feather palms, withstanding temperatures down to 14ºF (-10ºC). An attractive palm tree as a freestanding specimen or grouped with other palms.
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows up to 10-20 ft. tall (3-6 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-5 m).
- Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant once established.
- No serious disease or pest issues.
- Propagate from seed in spring.
- Native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Palms - Cycads |
Plant Family | Palms - Cycads |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 20' (3m – 6m) |
Spread | 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
Jiang Tianmu (Shutterstock)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 10
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Palms - Cycads |
Plant Family | Palms - Cycads |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 20' (3m – 6m) |
Spread | 10' – 15' (3m – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |