Butia capitata

Butia capitata Details

Commonly known as the Jelly Palm, this is a large and attractive Palm Tree. It produces feathery and arching, green-grey fronds, held as a crown, on a thick and solitary trunk. It is reasonably quick growing and typically reaches 8 m tall and 6 m wide. Cream coloured flowers, tinged with pink, are borne on long and pendulous stems in spring, and result in cherry sized, orange-yellow fruits in summer. The fruit are sweet and somewhat tart, and often used to make jelly. This Palm performs best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of light frost but is more suited to warmer climates. The Jelly Palm is commonly grown as a specimen, included in Mediterranean themed gardens, used to border or line an entranceway, or included in a mixed planting in a larger garden.