Butia capitata
(Mart.) Becc.
Arecaceae
Butia capitata, in its strict sense, is native to eastern Brazil, north of Rio de Janeiro. It has often been treated in a wider sense 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)[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]
Butia bonnetii Becc.
Butia leiospatha (Barb.Rodr.) Becc.
Calappa capitata (Mart.) Kuntze
Calappa leiospatha (Barb.Rodr.) Kuntze
Cocos capitata Mart.
Cocos leiospatha Barb.Rodr.
Syagrus capitata (Mart.) Glassman
Common Name: Jelly Palm
Plant growing in the Jardin botanique de la Villa Thuret, Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Alpes-Maritimes,France. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: Daderot
Public domain
Plant growing in the Jardin botanique de la Villa Thuret, Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Alpes-Maritimes,France. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: Daderot
Public domain
Heavily laden with fruit in coastal North Carolina, USA. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: JimmyButler
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Ripe fruit still hanging on the plant. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: Moxfyre
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Seeds. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: Abrahami
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Inflorescence. This is probably a photo of the closely related and very similar species, Butia odorata
Photograph by: The Ruth Bancroft Garden
General Information
Butia capitata is a single-stemmed evergreen palm tree that grows slowly to reach an eventual height of around 8 metres tall[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. 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[
416- Title
- Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 85-867174-24-0
- Description
- A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
,
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a local source of food. It has been cultivated in many areas of the world, mainly as an ornamental but also sometimes for its edible fruit and seed[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
Range
S. America - eastern Brazil (Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais).
Habitat
Grassland plains near the coast[
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
]. Open areas and savannahs on sandy soils[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Tree |
Height | 6.00 m |
Growth Rate | Slow |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Butia capitata is native to the subtropical and tropical environment of eastern Brazil[
335- Title
- Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
- Publication
-
- Author
- Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
- Publisher
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. Plants do not succeed in hot, wet, lowland tropical areas[
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
]. They can succeed in drier areas with an annual rainfall as low as 250mm and one month or more where rainfall is below 25mm[
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
].
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[
188- Title
- The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brickell. C.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-86318-386-7
- Description
- Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
]. Tolerates light shade[
188- Title
- The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brickell. C.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-86318-386-7
- Description
- Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
]. Plants can tolerate at least some maritime exposure with salt spray and somewhat saline soil conditions[
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
]. Established plants are drought tolerant[
377- Title
- Trade Winds Fruit
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].
A very variable plant, with many forms and varieties[
297- Title
- Palms of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-207-14848-1
- Description
- An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
].
A slow-growing plant[
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
].
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[
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
]. 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[
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
]. 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[
231- Title
- Palms for Cooler Climates.
- Publication
-
- Author
- McMillan-Browse. P.
- Publisher
- Trebah Enterprises.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0 9521952 0 8
- Description
- An excellent little booklet on the subject, though it does not mention many plant uses.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
105- Title
- Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
- Publisher
- Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
,
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. Sweet and aromatic with the flavour of apricots[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
,
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. They can also be made into jellies, jams, pies, cakes etc[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The fruit is very fibrous but is also very nice[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The fruit is about 34 x 25mm[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The seed contains up to 45% of an edible oil, it is used mainly for margarines[
2- Title
- Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hedrick. U. P.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-486-20459-6
- Description
- Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The pith of the stem can be made into a bread[
2- Title
- Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hedrick. U. P.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-486-20459-6
- Description
- Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
]. However, because the tree cannot make side branches this will effectively kill it[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers. 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[
138- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 3.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bird. R. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. Plant out into deep pots or the open ground either as soon as root growth is noticed or as soon as top growth appears.
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