Butia paraguayensis


Flowers	Mature fruits

NOMENCLATURE AND MEANING: Butia comes from the Tupi and means “Fruit to make vinegar”. Also called as Butiá do cerrado, Coquinho abacaxi or Coco vassoura genannt.

Origin: Steppes and savannas of Brazil to the north of Rio Grande do Sul. More informations in the Portuguese language under the link:

Features: Palm tree with single trunk, which is rather short and underground and covered with the remains of fallen leaves. 6 to 18 leaves are pinnate with a center rib from 60 to 110 cm of length, with shovel-shaped arrangement of leaves that are 35 to 55 cm long and green with slight whitish tint, some thorns are found at the leaf base or between the fibers. The inflorescences appear from among the leaves, the flowers are pale yellow and fragrant. The fruits are drupes (with single seed) of 2 to 3 cm in diameter and of the length.

Culture tips: A plant of very slow growth in the first 3 years, which is adjusting to different soils with rapid withdrawal, which are rich in organic material and profound. It tolerates down to -5°C and long dry periods. This plant can be grown in the mildest parts of the U.K. and Ireland outdoors.

Propagation: The seeds are a long time (8 years) durable and germinate without treatment after 120 days to 2 years. To accelerate the germination the shell must be filed, and the seeds are to soak into the water for 48 hours. The substrate should be 50 percent of river sand. The seedlings grow slowly, with 4 adult leaves they can be planted out after 2 years. Will fruit 6 to 8 years after planting.

Planting: I recommend a planting in full sun at intervals of 5 x 5 m. The planting hole should measure 50 cm in three dimensions, and should be well-mixed with 6 shovels of organic compost to 18 liters of river sand, 500 g of lime and 1 kg of wood ash. The best time to plant are December and January. Irrigate with 20 l of water every 20 days if it does not rain, no chemical fertilizers are not necessary until the third year.

Culture: The slow-growing plant requires no special treatmen, it is ideal as an ornamental plant for gardens and places. Until the third year fertilze with 50 g of NPK 10-10-10 on the surface, cover the fertilizer with 5 to 6 shovels of manure and then this with dry leaves or grass. Regular weeding is necessary in order not to suffocate the plant.

Use: Fruiting from December to February. The fruit has a taste reminiscent of pineapple, can be eaten in nature, are ideal for juice and vinegar production. The plant is also used as an ornamental plant.