Jubea chilensis

 Jubea Chilensis. The 'Chilean Wine Palm'
Top left - A truly massive palm - eventually. It has the thickest of all palm trunks which is tapped to obtain it's sap which is then fermented to make wine. The whole plant is also harvested from which vast quantities of wine can be made - party time for los Chilenos but death for the plant and hence its endangered status in it's native Chile. In this country it is extemely slow growing but worth it because even when young it makes an attractive, imposing plant. It is hardy in this country down to -10 or 12, will grow in all but waterlogged soils and can withstand drought and strong winds.
Top right - A young Jubea chilensis. This specimen was imported to the UK by the Palm Centre in London, see their link on our Resources Page, it arrived from Chile planted in an oil drum, it took 6 people to slide this plant into its hole and possibly because of it's extra deep root system from the time of planting has grown away quite rapidly - by Jubea standards. This shot was taken in 2001 in the Carribean Home From Home garden, a more recent photo will be added soon.
Right - another superb Jubea in Rome.