Butia capitata, in its strict sense, is native to eastern Brazil, north of Rio de Janeiro. It has often been treated in a wider sence to include the form found in southern Brazil and Uruguay. This southern form is now treated as a distinct species (Butia odorata (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick)[]

Common Name: Jelly Palm

General Information

Butia odorata is a single-stemmed evergreen palm tree that grows slowly to reach an eventual height of around 3 - 6 metres tall[]. The unbranched stem can be 20 - 50cm in diameter; it is covered with persistent leaf bases; and topped by a crown of 18 - 32 large leaves[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. The fruit is very popular within its range and so the plant is often cultivated in gardens and small orchards - it is also widely grown as an ornamental, especially in warm temperate and subtropical areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - southern Brazil and Uruguay.

Habitat

Grassland plains near the coast[]. Open areas and savannahs on sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Butia odorata is native to the warm temperate and subtropical environment of southern Brazil and Uruguay[]. It does not succeed in hot, wet, lowland tropical areas[]. It can succeed in drier areas with an annual rainfall as low as 250mm and one month or more where rainfall is below 25mm[]. This is the hardiest species in the genus and can tolerate some frost - one report says it is unharmed by temperatures down to about -2°c[], whilst another says that it can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling as low as -10°c[]. There are several mature specimens in south-west Cornwall, England (hardiness zone 8 - 9) that were planted in the early 1900's[].
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[, , ]. Tolerates light shade[]. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[]. Plants can tolerate at least some maritime exposure with salt spray and somewhat saline soil conditions[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[, ].
A very variable plant, with many forms and varieties[].
The plant can be grown successfully in a pot for a number of years, taking the pot outdoors in the summer and keeping it in a conservatory during the winter[].
A very slow-growing plant[, ].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. Sweet and aromatic with the flavour of apricots[, ]. They can also be made into jellies, jams, pies, cakes etc[]. The fruit is very fibrous but is also very nice[]. The fruit is about 34 x 25mm[].

The seed contains up to 45% of an edible oil, it is used mainly for margarines[, , , ].

The pith of the stem can be made into a bread[]. However, because the tree cannot make side branches this will effectively kill it[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[]. Stored seed is very slow to germinate. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing may shorten the germination time. Plants form a long tap-root some time before forming a shoot. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[]. Plant out into individual pots either as soon as root growth is noticed or as soon as top growth appears. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. See Cultivation notes above regarding planting them outdoors.