INTRODUCTION

This slow-growing palm is known for its blue-grey fonds curved towards it’s stocky trunck, which Is covered with leaf bases. While they will grow to 20-feet, they are mostly seen shorter due to the slow growth rate. The Pindo is also known for the yellow, edible fruit that it produces, which can be processed into various condiments such as jams. The pindo is cold-hearty and will grow in full sun or part-shade. It will survive hot and windy weather, and is disease resistant.

The Pindo is often used on parking lot buffers, residential street medians, and has thrived in urban areas with air pollution and less-than-desirable soil circumstances.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Name: Butia Capitata
Pronunciation: BEW-tee-uh kap-ih-TAY-tuh
Common Name(s): Pindo Palm, Jelly Palm
Family: Arecaceae
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8B through 11
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size); wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide); medium-sized parking lot islands (100-200 square feet in size); medium-sized tree lawns (4-6 feet wide);
recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck or patio; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns (3-4 feet wide); specimen; residential street tree; palm tree has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, and/or drought are common
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

USE AND MANAGEMENT

Growing in full sun or part shade on a wide variety of soils, including alkaline, pindo palm is moderately salt-tolerant. Pindo palm can survive hot, windy conditions, asphalt and concrete areas but looks
better in good soil with adequate moisture. Some people do not consider this a pretty palm but it certainly will grow anywhere.

 

Pests

Palm leaf skeletonizer, scale, and micronutrient
deficiencies (especially Mn and Fe) are occasional
problems for pindo palm. Micronutrient deficiencies
only show up on soil with a high pH.

Diseases

No diseases are of major concern. The roots and
lower trunk can rot if soil is kept too moist.