Jubaea chilensis
Other common names
Coquito Palm. Spanish - Palma Chilena, Coquito de Chile
Origin of the species name
Jubaea is named after King Juba II of Numidia and Mauretania (82 BC - 23 AD); chilensis refers to the species' Chilean origin.
Family
Arecaceae
Date planted
2012
Lifespan
Chilean wine palms can live for several hundred years.
General description
This is a palm with a trunk that has smooth grey bark and is often thicker higher up. It is said to be the most massive of all palms. The dark green leaves are pinnate and up to 5m long. The flowers are produced on long, branched shoots and the oval to round fruits are bright yellow when ripe. Height 25m Spread 5m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to a small area of central Chile where it grows up to 1,400 metres above sea level in woodlands almost exclusively on the steep slopes of dry ravines.
Conservation status
It is classified as a threatened species. Although it is partially protected within Chile, pressures of human overpopulation and expansion of grazing area have reduced the population of the Chilean Wine Palm in recent centuries. Unlike most other palm wines, collecting the sap requires cutting down the tree and this harvesting also has reduced its natural populations.
Uses
The sap from the Chilean wine palm is fermented into a palm wine or made into a sweet syrup (palm honey, miel de palma) for cooking. Sap is drained from the trunks over a period lasting several months, sometimes yielding more than 300 litres. Edible seeds are also harvested and the leaves are used to make baskets.
Planting pattern
Planted in curved rows.
Further reading
Jones, D (1995) Palms Throughout the World. Smithsonian Books.
Chilean wine palm Tree Story by Susan Parsons.