Butia capitata aka South American Jelly Palm

Taxonomy

Genus Butia Family Arecaceae Order Arecales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Butia capitata, also known as jelly palm, is a species of Butia palm native to Brazil, specifically the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás, and is known locally as coquinho-azedo or butiá. This palm can grow up to 8m (occasionally up to 10m) and has feather palm pinnate leaves that arch inwards towards a thick, stout trunk. In Minas Gerais, it flowers from May to July and the ripe fruit is about the size of a large cherry and yellowish/orange in color, sometimes with a blush towards the tip. The sweet fruit pulp is often used to make jellies or fermented to make wine. It is worth noting that palms cultivated around the world under the name Butia capitata are actually almost all B. odorata, and the real B. capitata is not notably hardy nor widely cultivated. Another common name for this palm is yatay palm, pindo palm, or jelly palm, and it is native to southern Brazil through Paraguay. This palm typically grows to 20-35 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, with a comparatively short but stout solitary trunk covered in persistent leaf bases from the stalks of fallen leaves. Its arching, thick-textured, marginally-spined pinnate leaves often form a dense but loose crown, each leaf having 25-60 pairs of narrow pointed leaflets that are usually grayish green, but sometimes deep green or silvery blue. Its axillary flower clusters bear tiny, yellowish, fruity-scented, unisexual flowers of both sexes, and its orange, rounded, edible fruits (each up to 1 inch wide) have a fibrous but juicy flesh surrounding a hard stone. Jelly Palm is a popular landscape plant in the northern areas of Florida, the Gulf and Atlantic area of the southeast, and in North Florida. This cold-hardy palm has feathery, palm, pinnate leaves that arch inwards towards a thick, stout trunk and can reach up to 20 feet tall, being erect and single-stemmed.

Common names

South American Jelly Palm, Pindo Palm, Jelly Palm

How to care for South American Jelly Palm

Difficulty

Caring for South American Jelly Palm is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

South American Jelly Palm should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

South American Jelly Palm loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

South American Jelly Palm requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Pindo Palm is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The South American Jelly Palm grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the South American Jelly Palm as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

South American Jelly Palm’s native range is Southern S. America - South Brazil and Uruguay.

More info:
Wikipedia

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