Jelly Palm

(Butia capitata)

Jelly Palm (Butia capitata)

Megan Hansen

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Megan Hansen

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Megan Hansen | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: MeganEHansen | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Butia capitata, commonly known as Jelly Palm, is an evergreen palm tree native to the grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands of Brazil. It is well-adapted to dry, sandy soils and can tolerate drought conditions. This palm typically grows to a height of 6-8 meters with a spread of 2-3 meters. The Jelly Palm has a distinctive appearance with blue-green, feather-like pinnate leaves that arch gracefully inwards towards a thick, stout trunk. It produces clusters of small, white flowers from May to July, followed by edible fruits that ripen from November to February. The fruits are about the size of a large cherry, yellowish-orange in color, and can have a blush towards the tip.

The Jelly Palm is valued for its ornamental features, including its attractive silhouette and edible fruits, which can be used to make jellies and jams. It is suitable for urban planting, as a specimen tree, or in a Mediterranean-style garden. It requires full sun to part shade and can adapt to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to lethal yellowing disease in some regions. The Jelly Palm is also cold-hardy for a palm and can withstand temperatures down to about 15°F (-9°C).CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 20-35 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Orange, Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina

Other Names

Common Names: Pindo Palm , South American Jelly Palm , Geleepalme , Butiapalme , Butia , Butia De Vinaigre , Coco-Azedinho , Coco-Cabeçudo , Butiapalm

Scientific Names: Butia capitata , Cocos capitata , Butia leiospatha , Butia bonnetii , Butia capitata var. rubra , Syagrus capitata , Butia capitata subsp. eucapitata , Butia capitata subsp. rubra , Calappa capitata , Calappa leiospatha

GBIF Accepted Name: Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.