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The generic name Jubaea honours a relatively obscure Numidian king, Juba I who was involved in civil wars against Julius Caesar in North Africa! But as to why it was applied to this palm I do not yet know.
This is a truly massive palm in maturity with the largest trunk in the Palm kingdom. The trunk is a sight to behold on mature specimens with the scars of previous leafs etched into its hard wood trunk.
It can ultimately grow to a height of 30 metres (100 feet) in its native habitat.
Attached photograph was taken by me on my visit to Chile in 2005.
However in cultivation this is a not a palm for the impatient gardener as it is an extremely slow grower, even in its native habitat in Chile. Unlike many other palms the foliage retains a strong healthy appearance as the new leaves emerge over time. It is also quite wind tolerant and also is not effected by salt air. There are some very large specimens growing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that were planted out over a 100 years ago which have survived and grown into mature trunked specimens. Also in the temperate house in Kew there is a specimen that was last measured at 18metres tall in 1985, which was raised from seed brought there in 1826!
The palm seed are edible and taste something like a dry version of the flesh of a coconut (to which I can testify having eaten some on my visit to Chile in March 2005).
It is an extremely hardy palm and most probably the hardiest of all the feather palm species. Unfortunately as they have to import direct from Chile and are notoriously slow growers, they are also quite expensive when compared to the not dissimilar cheaper palm, Phoenix canariensis.
Once established, they are reasonably drought resistant (not a problem in Ireland), although successful establishment is assisted by a relatively deep and well-drained soil for the root system. Additionally, they are extremely cold tolerant for a palm.
The tree's sugary sap can be used as a sweetener or fermented into an alcoholic drink, hence it's common name, The Chilean Wine Palm, and the fronds are ideal as a thatch for constructing shelters.
Charles Darwin is quoted having said, "These palms are, for their family, very ugly trees," he wrote in Voyage of the Beagle, when he visited Chile in the 1830s. Having seen the trees myself in Chile I have to say I am of the opposite opinion on this to Mr Darwin!
Picture of 7 metre trunked Jubaea recently planted in Kells Gardens Co Kerry
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Dicksonia News
| May 2008 News Update - |
| New stock of Juania australis, Agave montana, Agave gentryi, Trachycarpus wagnerianus, Trachycarpus martianus 'Nepal Form' and many more. |
| Xanthorrhoea glauca GrassTree - |
 Picture of X. glauca in my garden 2005 X. glauca Grasstree - Prices start at €275.00 |
| Dicksonia fibrosa Tree Fern carvings now available - |
 Sample photo of carving that we have in stock: Beautiful, natural, sculptures in many forms from Dicksonia fibrosa and Black Mamaku |
Nursery Address: KILMACANOGUE, CO. WICKLOW Garden & Nursery viewing
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Mobile No: 087 777 6666 or email: billy@dicksonia.com
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