Tropical Plant "Yatay palm"
Butia yatay

Characteristics - The yatay palm is not a cultivated fruitbearer. Native to Rio Grande do Sul, on the frontier with Argentina and Uruguay, it is found in fields with sandy soil, where it generally forms colonies. It is a solitary palm. 4-8 m tall. The caulis is 35-40 cm in diameter, covered in persistent leaf bases. Leaves are pinnate, arched, 12-18 concurrently. The petiole is 50 -70 cm, the margins are coarsely toothed, and it is covered in spines. The rachis is 1.7-2.0 m long, with 68-72 green-bluish pinnae on each side, uniformly distributed. Inflorescences interfoliar and branched with 110-150 rachis and yellow, bisexual flowers. Fruits are aromatic, with a thick fibro-succulent pulp and an acidic-sweet flavor, wrapping a single hard seed.

Uses -The fruits are consumed in the form of juices and enjoyed locally.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.