Butia

butia

( BEW - tee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of Palms is commonly called Feather Palm, and is native to South America, namely the countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Many species produce edible fruits that are used to flavor alcoholic beverages and other food products. Fronds have a distinctive downward arching habit, and are typically green to bluish-green. These trees range in height from almost stemless species 16 inches tall to medium-sized trees that top out around 40 feet. They are slow-growing palms, great for specimen plantings or as street or privacy screening plants.

Butia species and varietals

The genus Butia is a member of the plant family Arecaceae and includes 20 species. They are best when grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 or H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Butia archeri (Dwarf Jelly Palm, Coqueirinho-do-Campo, Butiazinho, Archer's Butia, Archer's Pindo Palm, Vassourinha)
Named for plant collector William Andrew Archer, this species produces a single trunk topped with green palm fronds that arch down towards the ground. It is endemic to Brazil, where it prefers to grow in groups at either high elevations or in major river valleys.

Butia capitata (Pindo Palm, Jelly Palm, Coquinhoazedo, South American Jelly Palm, Wine Palm, Coco Palm)
This species of palm needs full sun to light shade and regular water for best performance. Native to Brazil, these palms slowly reach between 10-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. These trees produce clusters of red-yellow flowers that are followed by edible fruits in summertime. Leaves are bluish green and curve back towards the trunk, which is covered in stubs of older leaves. This is a hardy feather palm, handling temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butia catarinensis (Santa Catarina Jelly Palm, Coastal Jelly Palm)
Native to Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states in Brazil, these palms were named as a species in 2010 and prefer to grow in coastal, tropical dry scrubland areas. This species rarely exceeds 10 feet in height at maturity (more commonly seen around 6 feet tall), and produces light green to bluish-green palm fronds. Flowers can be yellow, green-yellow, yellow and violet, or completely violet.

Butia eriospatha (Butia yatay) (Wooly Jelly Palm, Yatay, Macuma, Butia Verdadeiro, Butia-da-Serra, Butia Veludo, Woolly Butia Palm)
This is a widely cultivated species as an ornamental, though its populations are declining in the wild due to climate change and habitat destruction. This species is endemic to the highland areas of southern Brazil, and reaches around 14 feet tall when mature. These are considered hardy palms, able to handle temperatures down to about 7 degrees Fahrenheit, though they do require some protection to survive and perform well under these conditions.

Butia odorata (South American Jelly Palm, Jelly Palm, Pindo Palm)
Native to the far southern areas of Brazil and Paraguay, this species can reach up to 33 feet tall when mature, but is often seen shorter. The specific epithet odorata in this species refers to the fragrant fruits produced by these trees. Leaves are dark green and arch downwards, and flowers vary in color from yellows, reds, and oranges to purples. Fruits also vary in color. Often grown as an ornamental.

Caring for Butia

Choose a spot in the landscape that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours per day). These trees can survive in lower-light conditions, especially when younger, but too much shade will hinder growth in the long run. Ensure that soil is well-draining, and amend with sand before planting. These trees are not picky about soil pH, and can also tolerate a wide variety of soil structures as well. If soil is overly clay, however, Butia Palms will not perform well, becoming waterlogged and enduring root rot problems. Mulch around the base of trees to improve soil moisture retention, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Young palms will need regular waterings in order to establish a strong root system, but at maturity, these trees are drought-tolerant. Take care not to overwater these trees, as they have a tendency to develop root rot issues. They do not typically need to be fertilized, but if the tree seems to be struggling, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring and summertime. Avoid over-fertilizing them, as doing so can cause damage. Pruning these palms is relatively straightforward. Simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased fronds; over-pruning can seriously stress these trees out, and cutting green fronds off can stress the palm, as they are essential for its health. For a neater trunk appearance, trim all spent leaf stubs to the same length. Although these palms are considered cold-tolerant, they will need some protection (especially in their younger years) if temperatures reach below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover young plants with frost cloths in during particularly cold weather.

Harvesting Butia Fruits
The fruits of all species are edible, though they are most commonly consumed from three species: Butia capitata, Butia yatay, and Butia odorata. Fruits will begin to be produced by trees that are between 8 and 10 years old, and are said to taste like a combination between Pineapple, Apricot, Mango, Coconut, and Papaya. Ripe color varies from yellow to orange, depending on the species and climate the tree is grown in. They are typically ready for harvesting in summertime, and can be cut off of the tree in bunches. It is common to cut bunches off of trees just as they come into ripeness to lessen competition from wild animals for the sweet fruits. The fruits can finish ripening indoors while still attached to the bunch. The fruits are commonly eaten fresh, but can also be made into preserves, juiced, fermented into wine, or used to flavor beverages or baked goods.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Butia is best propagated by seed. To propagate your Palm, follow the instructions below:

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds of Butia palms are contained inside of fruits produced by the trees. These palms will not start producing fruits with viable seeds until about 8 to 10 years of age. They ripen in summertime, and taste like a blend of many fruits, with a somewhat sweet and tart flavor profile. Seeds will need to be removed from fruit flesh before being planted. It is best to cut the fruits open, take seeds out and then rinse them to remove any flesh still attached. After this process is complete, lay the seeds out to dry in a cool, dark area.
Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours before planting. This will increase the chances of germination.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 1-3 months from sowing, though it can take a much longer amount of time, so be patient. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.