Butia capitata var. odorata - M

About the Butia capitata var. odorata - M

Butia capitata var. odorata, now botanically accepted as Butia odorata, is a slow-growing evergreen pinnate palm. Its gracefully arching fronds range from blue-green to silver-grey and form a full crown around its sturdy, solitary growth habit. This palm is best suited to container cultivation or as a focal point in a warm, sheltered and very well-drained position in the garden.

Characteristics

Origin: Southern Brazil, particularly Rio Grande do Sul, and Uruguay.

Family: Arecaceae (palm family).

Position: A warm, sunny and sheltered position. Full sun encourages compact growth and a more silvery leaf colour; light partial shade is tolerated. Planting in the ground is only recommended in a sheltered position with excellent drainage.

Height: Slow-growing and generally reaching approximately 4 to 6 metres as a mature palm. It can grow taller under particularly favourable conditions. Container-grown plants usually remain smaller.

Flowering period: Spring to summer, depending on the climate and the maturity of the plant. Flowering is not guaranteed on young or container-grown specimens.

Flower colour: Cream to creamy white.

Hardiness: Relatively cold tolerant for a pinnate palm, but not reliably fully hardy in all northern European conditions. Protect container-grown and unestablished plants from severe or prolonged frost. Avoid persistently wet soil during winter.

Soil type: Airy, fertile and very well-drained soil. A mixture containing coarse sand, lava or another drainage material helps prevent water from remaining around the roots.

Care

Light: Provide a position in full sun whenever possible. Gradually acclimatise a plant from a greenhouse or sheltered environment to direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorch.

Water: Water regularly during the growing season and allow the upper layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter, especially when the plant is kept cool. Never allow water to remain in the pot or around the roots for extended periods.

Fertiliser: Apply a suitable palm fertiliser regularly during the growing season. Preferably use a fertiliser that provides sufficient magnesium and trace elements in addition to nitrogen. Do not fertilise during a cool overwintering period.

Pruning: Remove only fully dried or damaged fronds. Leave green fronds in place and do not damage the central growing point. Wear gloves when pruning because of the spiny leaf bases.

Repotting: Repot when the roots have clearly filled the available pot space. Choose a deep, stable container only one size larger and ensure it has generous drainage holes. Keep the root ball as intact as possible during repotting.

Humidity: Normal outdoor humidity is sufficient. This palm does not require continuously high humidity and, once established, also tolerates temporarily drier conditions.

Special features: The leaf bases bear short spines. Mature specimens may produce fragrant, edible fruits that ripen from yellow to orange after flowering, but flowering and fruiting are not guaranteed. The M designation refers solely to the commercial size and does not guarantee age, trunk development or flowering maturity.