Jubaea chilensis

Common names

Chilean Wine Palm, Coquito Palm.

Curiosities

The leaves are used to make frameworks, roofs and marquees. Leaflets and fibres have been used to make mats, curtains, baskets and brooms. The trunk is used to make palm honey, and also wine and sugar. The seed flesh is edible, and has a coconut like taste. Named Jubaea after the King of Juba, Namidia. Hybridises with Butia capitata and Syagrus romanzoffiana, genetically similar although belong to a different genus (some experts indicate that they could be the same genus), creating highly drought and cold resistant palms, which are very appreciated.

Origin

Chile.

Habitat

Forests, bushy areas, along rocky ridges and slopes. In slopes of dry rivers, or in open slopes with Mediterranean climate.

Morphology

A solitary palm with a massive trunk 1-2 m in diameter, grey and smooth, like a concrete column. Can reach 25 m, and has slight, diamond-shaped scars. Pinnate leaves, rough, with reduplicate segments. Interfoliar inflorescence. Fruit round and yellow.

Climate

Temperate, both dry and moist. Good for any area with Mediterranean climate, with dry summer and moist winter (all the Mediterranean basin, South California, coastal Chile, South African Republic, South Australia, New Zealand and according to some authors, also the Canary Islands and Madeira). This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –12ºC (10.4ºF, USDA Zone 8a).

Germination

Fresh seeds germinate after a few months. Some authors indicate that seeds fertility lasts a long time, although seeds viability is highly reduced with time. The low germination percentages indicated by some authors (around 10% germination in 6-15 months) does not apply to fresh seeds in good temperature and humidity conditions.

Growing

Indicated in dry and moist temperate areas. Cold and frost resistant, but slow growing (growth is faster once the trunk is formed). One of the most cold resistant palms, can cope with it even when young. Prefers a sunny, well-drained position. Shows a good response to nitrogen fertilizers. Not too appropriate as inside plant, only as a youngster and with high indirect light.