Palms For California

Pronunciation: BOO-tee-uh par-uh-gway-YEN-siss

Common Name: Dwarf Yatay Palm

Butia paraguayensis is well represented in some of the botanical gardens in southern California, but still seems to be quite rare among palm growers. Plant is not strikingly unique in appearance and not obviously as ornamental as a well grown Butia capitata, which may explain some of the lack of enthusiasm for growing this species. It is a dwarfish version basically of the standard Butia shape. It does seem plenty cold hardy, though and has a lot of the same qualities as the other common Butias.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-12 feather leaves (some plants have over 20, but may be hybrids?) Height: 2'-8' (rarely trunkless) Trunk: single (or subterranean); 14"-18" thick; covered with persistent, un-split leaf bases Crownshaft: none Spread: 8'-10' Leaf Description: pinnate; moderately recurved (more marked in tall palms); leaflets stiff and upright, in a relatively tight 'V'; sea-green to glaucous green Petiole/Leaf bases: 2'-3' long; armed; stiff; moderately channeled; pale green; leaf bases un-split and persistent on trunk for life of palm Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 2' long; upright to pendulous; moderately branched; from within crown Fruit: ovoid; 1" long; yellowy when ripe; edible

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 15F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptalbe Light Requirement: partial to full usn Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: sensitive to overhead watering (crown rot likely) Transplants?: moderately tolerable Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare