Butia yatay (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 12m
Eventual Spread: 5m
Hardiness: 8b – 11
Family: Arecaceae
Butia yatay is an evergreen palm tree with a single trunk. Its grey/ blue leaves are pinnate with up to 140 leaflets, arching and up to 2.5m long. Its leaf stems are retained on its trunk. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 60cm. Its monoecious flowers are yellow, borne on 1.8m long inflorescence and emerge from the leaf axils. Its yellow/ orange fruit is ovate, up to 5cm long and 2.5cm broad.
Butia yatay, commonly known as the Pindo Palm or Yatay Palm, is native to southern South America. The fruit of this palm is commonly used for the production of Yatay Liquor in Argentina.
The etymological root of the binomial name Butia is a Latinised form of the Brazilian vernacular for this palm. Yatay is another vernacular for this palm.
The landscape architect may find Butia yatay useful as a specimen tree and also looks fantastic when planted in avenues. Once established this palm is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Butia yatay flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.
Butia yatay Bark (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Butia yatay prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.
Butia yatay requires little maintenance.
