Jelly palm, Pindo palm
Butia capitata
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A small palm. It grows up to 5 m tall. It has 40-50 leaves. The trunk has a pattern from the old leaf stubs. The trunk is stout and woody. The leaves hang over and are blue-green. They are 1.3-2 m long and the leaflets form a V shape. Along the edge of the leaf stalk there are sharp spines. The leaflets are 0.8 m long and 2-3 cm wide. The flowers are small and cream. They are 3-8 mm long. They occur as many small flowers along a 1 m long flower stalk. Separate male and female flowers occur along the same stalk. Pollination is by wind and insect. The fruit are yellow to orange and 2-3 cm across. They occur in bunches. The fruit are round with one seed inside. The fruit are edible.
There are about 9 Butea species.
Where it is found
They can grow in cool climates. It suits temperate and subtropical climates. It is frost hardy. They can tolerate temperatures down to -9°C. They are very wind tolerant. They do best in a sunny position. They are drought tolerant but benefit from watering. They often grow in drier regions. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in arid places. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Hobart Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum. National Arboretum Canberra.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Britain, Canada, Central America, Egypt, Europe, Indonesia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit is eaten fresh and used in jelly. It is also used for wine. The seed is a minor source of oil.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds - oil, stem
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate in about 6 months. Seed germinate more quickly if they have been dried and stored. Seed have a hard woody coat which can make them difficult to germinate. Soaking in warm water helps.
They grow slowly. The fruit is picked as they ripen. If the whole bunch is removed the fruit ripen all at once. The fruit can be stored for about one week under refrigeration.
Its other names
Local names
Butia, Butia-azedo, Butia-vinagre, Cabecudo, Cabecusa, Cocinho-rastero, Conquinho azedo, Geleepalme, Palem pindo, Palem jelly, Pindo palm
Synonyms
Butia bonnetii Becc.; Butia capitata var. elegantissima (Chabaud) Becc.; Butia capitata var. erythrospatha (Chabaud) Becc.; Butia capitata var. lilaceiflora (Chabaud) Becc.; Butia capitata var. nehrlingiana (I.H.Bailey) L.H. Bailey; Butia capitata var. odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Becc.; Butia capitata var. pulposa (Barb. Rodr.) Becc.; Butia capitata var. strictior L.H.Bailey; Butia capitata var. subglobosa Becc.; Butia capitata var. virescens Becc.; Butia nehrlingiana L.H.Bailey; Cocos australis Mart.; Cocos campestris Mart.; Cocos capitata Mart.; Cocos elegantissima Chabaud; Cocos erythrospatha Chabaud; Cocos lilaceifolia Chabaud; Cocos odorata Barb. Rodr.; Cocos pulposa Bar. Rodr.; Syagrus capitata (Mart.) Glassman; and others