Butia catarinensis - Butia of the Beach

This palm is formally classified as Butia capitata var odorata. Many experts consider it should be a separate species, and having seen the palm growing in the wild I can only agree, as it could not be more different.

Native to Southern Brazil and named locally Butia de bahia or Butia of the beach, the palm is small compared to the usual Butia capitata, the trunk rarely exceeds 6 inches width and 3m height. The span rarely exceeds 2 metres. Considerably hardy, and extremely beautiful, it is extremely hard to understand why this palm is not in cultivation. It will make the perfect palm for the small European garden and seems destined for a successful introduction into general cultivation.

The palm grows by the million in parts of Southern Brazil, and every house seems to have a palm in the front garden as it is small, decorative with beautiful blue/silvery leaves and never gets too large.