Examples of Hybrid Butia Palms

This page show one of the more unique species cross in the entire plant kingdom, commonly referred to as Mule palms (the palms will produce fruit/seed but they are sterile ALA mules). Pollen from a Syagrus pollinates the female flowers of a Butia thus forming the beginning of a hybrid. So far there are no crosses of Butia pollen with Syagrus pistillate (female) flowers. Seed has been produced in this manner but they have yet to germinate into actual palms. The Butia genus also hybridizes with the Jubea genus and we have some photos of the result of that as well.

• Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)
  Note the differences between 1 gal. sdlgs. Foliage is similar to a pindo's but with some queen palm characteristics: Leaves are still emerging entire, some leaves only partially open into pinnate form, the color of foliage is more queen-like, the base of the trunk is green rather than all brown.
• A 2 gallon Butiagrus
  Foliage closely resembles a pindo's but is the color of a queen palm. Some entire leaves are still present which would be absent at this stage on a pindo. Bases of petioles remain green
• A 5 gallon Butiagrus
  The foliage is similar to a pindo's but finer, less stiff, and the color of a queen palm. The bases of the petioles form a distinctly green trunk while a pindo would have a brown trunk.
• Butiagrus palms about ten years from seed
  Mule palms are highly variable in foliage form, something they inherit from their respective parents. Here, the foliage resembles Butia more than Syagrus, a much stiffer & more upright V-shaped form.
• One of the oldest/tallest Butiagrus in Orlando
  In excess of 40 ft overall, a true tribute to "hybridization vigor" = taking the best attributes of both species, resulting in a stronger, faster, and overall "tougher" palm. However, not all hybrids are vigorous. Just because it's a hybrid doesn't make it a great palm.
• Butia X Jubaea hybrid @ Lake Eola, Orlando
  It was tough to get a good picture of this palm as it is being crowded by two Phoenix canariensis. The foliage looks like a date palm, only relaxed, softer. The stem is already massive (note the large P.canariensis stem behind the hybrid's) and the palm itself is well over 20 ft overall.
• Butia X Jubaea hybrid at Dr. Young's, Tampa
  Growing in shady conditions, the petioles have elongated to reveal a sturdy stem w/ foliage form leaning more towards Butia (we think); not too many Jubaea palms in Florida to make comparisions with ...