Parajubaea torallyi

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Parajubaea (pahr-ah-joo-BEH-ah)
torallyi (tohr-ALL-ee)
Pt743.jpg
Bolivia. Photo by Dr. Andrew J. Henderson/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Parajubaea (pahr-ah-joo-BEH-ah)
Species:
torallyi (tohr-ALL-ee)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Pasopaya Palm, Bolivian Mountain Coconut.

Habitat and Distribution

Bolivia. It only grows in sandstone ravines of the mountains of central Bolivia,
Bolivia. Photo by Dr. Andrew J. Henderson/Palmweb.
in two aisled interandean valleys "palmar" and "palmarcito" of approx. 14 kmts. diameter and others smaller, both at approximately 2500 mts. above sea level, where it grows protected from winds in a big hole and slopes with a special microclimate. Despite it being very dry with rain in only 2-4 months of the year, the ravines themselves are very humid. It is the only large plant that grows in the area. It has been found growing at altitudes of 3400 mtrs which makes this the highest elevation palm in the world. Even if the area where it grows is protected, the species is every day most endangered, mostly by locals that extract the seed endosperms that are edible and sold in markets of the nearly cities and towns. (Gaston Torres Vera)

Description

Parajubaea torallyi, commonly known as the Palma De Pasobaya or Bolivian Mountain Coconut. It is endemic to Bolivia, where it grows in dry forest on steep rocky slopes at 2,400-3,400 meters altitude, and is now threatened by habitat loss. Mature plants can be over 13 meters in height. They can withstand temperatures of -13 degrees Celsius. The fruits, or cocos, grow 5-10 cm in diameter in clusters weighing up to 15 kg. (Gaston Torres Vera) Editing by edric.

Culture

"Rare in cultivation is indicated for cool, cold and specialy dry places. Cold and drought tolerant. Fast growth palm that slows its growth speed in warmest days of summer. Seeds germinate, after presoak, erraticaly from 4 months to some years (for more information see germination). Seedlings are robust of entire leaves and grow quickly after its first pinnate leaf. The palms like rich soil (humus), good drainage and well watered for good growth speed. Some cultivated palms in clay produce smaller fruits and seeds. The most cold tolerant, hardy and fastest growing of the Parajubaeas." (Gaston Torres Vera)

"This is probably one of the very best palms suited for Southern California weather. It actually does pretty well in N California, too. Not a good palm for humid climates such as Florida and Hawaii. This palm is native to the Andes of western Bolivia and is pretty rare there.. but recently it has been collected heavily and is starting to show up in cultivation. It is a magnificent palm, approaching monolithic proportions- thick, hairy trunk and up to 60' tall, maybe taller. It is also a pretty fast grower, which we need here in So Cal, since 95% of palms that grow here are too slow to interest the average grower. The leaves are a slightly silvery-grey on top, and slightly copper underneath; have thin, long leaflets, and are extremely tolerant of high winds, amazingly enough (another thing we need a palm to tolerate in So Cal). Other than its rarity, it is the perfect palm for So Cal... and the rarity part will change someday soon I think. Now if it would just be a bit easier to germinate (takes up to 2 years for a seed to 'pop')." (Geoff Stein)

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"The Parajubaea torallyi is perfect for non-tropical areas like California. This palm can handle the heat and cold quite well. It prefers a warm with not too moist soil. This species grows much faster, and takes more heat than it's brother, cocoides. The torallyi can be placed in full sun even as a young seedling. It keeps it strap leaves for about 4-5 years. Grasshoppers have been know to devour strap leaves so an insecticide may be used." (DoomsDave)

"I have two of these palms (Saratoga/Cupertino), and despite our typical winter lows (25.3 F. this year, typically 26-28 F.), my parajubaea's are not only unphased, but show luster, i.e., they are "happy." Based on the winters I have had these in the ground, I expect they would tolerate lows well below 25 F. Based on the other palms I grow, I would recommend this as one of the best performing "more exotic" feather palms for northern california." (Marc Schuyler)

Parajubaea torallyi is a handsome hardy palm from South America. However, it is rarely cultivated by gardeners outside its natural habitat, Bolivia, due to its large seeds (which means high shipping costs).

Native to Bolivia, it grows in the dry and dusty, inter-Andean valleys in an altitude of 2700–3400 m above the sea. Therefore, this palm is the highest elevation palm species to occur anywhere in the world. The temperature rarely rises above 20 °C and night frosts are not rare in this altitude. The temperature often falls to as low as –7 °C during winter months (July and August) and the annual rainfall is only a mere 550 mm.

Its tolerance to drought, heat, cold, frost, and other adverse conditions, and its ability to maintain a great appearance, causes some to say that this legendary palm not only has enormous potential as an ornamental, but that it could become one of the most desirable landscaping palms for warm temperate and subtropical areas In areas were frost may occur it requires winter protection or keeping in frost free environment. It is reported that in Europe it is frost up to a temperature of –3°C. The lowest temperature which this palm has survived in cultivation was –8 ° C. These plants lost all their leaves, but survived and in springtime, new leaves appeared!

In Bolivia, this palm grows up to 14 m tall with a trunk 25–35 cm in diameter. Palms which are 100 years and older, grow to over 30 m tall with a trunk diameter of 50 cm. A nice crown has round about 20 leaves and some of them are up to 5 meter long! Plants grown outside Bolivia are however smaller.

There are two distinct populations in the natural habitat that differ mainly in fruit size and have recently been described as two distinct varieties, the small-fruited P. torallyi var. microcarpa and the large-fruited P. torallyi var. torallyi. Whilst not significantly different in appearance, var. microcarpa does not reach quite the dimensions of its large-fruited cousin, but in terms of adaptability and robustness, it falls nothing short of it. The seeds have an unfair reputation of being unreliable to germinate. Although germination can be somewhat erratic, the seeds will eventually sprout quite easily when sown under proper conditions, i.e. on the surface of seedbeds, buried only halfway, and kept slightly moist. With proper care, in a cool to mild subtropical climate and a sunny place, seedlings will quickly develop into tall, robust-trunked palms with large, shuttlecock-like crowns of finely pinnate, leathery leaves.

Parajubaea torallyi is a popular ornamental plant and it is often grown in parks and on sidewalks. In Ecuador and Southern Colombia, the Parajubaea cocoides is often grown where the altitude is 2500 to 3000 meter – this is a slow growing palm with less frost tolerance. As it is quite similar to the Parajubaea torallyi and as its natural habitat is not known, it is accepted that it is a cultivar of the Parajubaea torallyi.

The smallest of this palm species is the Parajubaea sunkha which has been described in 1996. It only grows 8 meters tall and occurs in the Andean valleys in the region of Vallegrande, in the district Santa Cruz in Bolivia where the altitude is 1700–2200 m. It has always been incorrectly identified as Parajubaea torallyi until recent taxonomical research was done and it was renamed to Parajubaea sunkha.

Palms of the genus Parajubaea are easy cultivated palms. The best growing method is by using seeds. However, you need to be very patient as seeds sprout very slowly and unevenly in the wild, and it takes about one and a half years to do so. Some seeds start to germinate within a month, but others takes a year or even two years to start sprouting. As it is a subtropical palm species, it is better to keep them in a lower temperature, as in a higher temperature (unlike in the case of other palm species) which may have a negative influence on the germination process. High temperature indicates dry periods, which is not fit for germination.

Before sowing, seeds should be put in water with a temperature of about 20 °C for around 5 to 7 days. Seeds of the big-seed variety should be kept in water for around two weeks. The water should be changed every day. Seeds could also be scarified to allow for better germination. The soaking of the seeds in the water will conclude the dormant period and will inaugurate the rainy season, which is the most suitable season for germination. Dormancy protect seeds not to start sprouting during the dry season in Bolivia (the winter in June to October)

After soaking, the seeds should be sown into a pot or plastic bag – take care that just half of the seed is covered with soil and keep them at a temperature of 10 to 20 °C.

A positive influence on good germination is the difference between day (high) and night (low) temperatures. Once the seeds are sown, they should not be watered too much as too much water may destroy young plants. The main difference between the cultivation of Parajubaea and other palm species is the lower temperature it requires as well as less water. After sowing, seeds should be checked every three to four weeks and sprouting seeds should be kept in individual pots. Some palm growers give the following advice regarding seeds that do not sprout within six months: Stop watering the seeds and let the soil dry out for few months. Take the seeds out of the soil, put them back into water for around a week and then sown them again. These seeds should start sprouting within the next half a year. If some of the seeds still do not sprout, repeat the process and all remaining seeds will sprout after the next rain season.

The germination rate of Parajubaea seeds is almost 100%, you just need to be patient enough, and allow a dry season for those lazy seeds!

Once you have a young palm, it is hardy, but keep in mind not to water it too much. A young palm prefers a moderate environment (in their natural habitat they grow under the shade of the adult palms), however older plants requires a sunny position.

Genus Parajubaea is one of the most endangered South American palms. The main reason for this being the destruction of natural habitats, spreading of the agriculture lands, wood mining and overgrazing by cattle. These palms occur in a very small area, which make the treatment much more serious and has the risk of extinction. Due to the large seeds of these plants, their spreading ability is also limited. The most important animal helping these palms to spread to new areas is the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), however these animals are also threatened by human activities. (botanix.kpr.eu)


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Comments and Curiosities

There are two subspecies;

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1.) Parajubaea torallyi var. microcarpa, (Endemic to Bolivia. Restricted to steep interandean valleys with xeric, often spiny vegetation {Prosopis, Aspidosperma, bromeliads), in the departments of Chuquisaca (Zudañez) and Potosí (Province Linares): (64°11'-64°55'W, 19°33'- 19°50'S). Monotypic stands are found between 2700 and 3400 m elevation. Common Name: Janchi coco, palma de fruto chico. Stem 10-20 m tall, 25-50 cm in diam., smooth. Leaves 15-18 per crown, 4.5-5 m long, erect; sheath to 110 cm long, with few fibers to 15 cm long; petiole 70- 90 cm long; rachis 2.7-3.2 m long, triangular in cross section at apex; pinnae 80-89 per side, lanceolate, regularly inserted and spreading in the same plane, plicate at base, green and lustrous adaxially, glaucous abaxially; basal pinnae 56-75 X 0.6-1 cm; middle pinnae 60-65 X 1.2-1.5 cm; apical pinnae 68-72 X 0.8-1 cm. Inflorescences up to five per plant, 1.8-2.5 m long; buds erect, becoming pendulous at anthesis; prophyll about 1 m long; peduncular bract 1.1-1.3 m long, apiculate, inflated above, membranous, sulcate, brown externally, glabrous and light brown internally; peduncle 60-64 cm long, glabrous; rachis 40-46 cm long with a zig-zag and twisted shape, glabrous; rachillae 13-16 spirally arranged, spreading at anthesis, the basal ones 13-15 cm long, the apical ones 17- 19 cm long; staminate flowers pedicellate, 6-9 mm long; pedicel 1-4 mm long; sepals free, briefly connate- basally; petals broadly triangular, valvate; stamens 13-15, 5 mm long; filaments 3 mm long; an thers 2 mm long, medifixed, slightly sagittate; pistillode trifid; pistillate flowers l(-2) per rachillae, basally inserted, 8-12 mm long; sepals and petals broadly triangular to 9 mm long, petals slightly smaller than sepals; staminodial ring to 2 mm tall, with 3 short teeth; ovary brownish beige tomentose; stigmas to 1 mm long; ovule basal. Fruit ovoid 3-5 cm long, 2.5-3 cm diam.; epicarp light green, orange at apex; mesocarp very fibrous; endocarp with 3 inconspicuous ridges; seeds l(-2), 2.1 cm long. (M. Moraes. 1996) Uses: According to local people, this palm is utilized for its fruits. Formerly, the stems were split in two and then cut into pieces 1 m long, in order to extract and grind the internal fibers with an ax, and finally to weave ropes from the fibers. Occasionally, baskets and fans are made from the leaves.) (M. Moraes. 1996)/Palmweb.

2.) Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi, (The type collection consists only of endocarps that are smaller than those from Pasopaya stands. Alcides d'Orbigny gathered them from cultivated trees grown in Garcilaso, which lies in the north of the city of Sucre. These five trees still are alive and were estimated to be more than 300 years old. When Cárdenas (1970) described the palm forests of the Bolivian high Andes, he noted two different fruit sizes of the Bolivian endemic species of Parajubaea, P. torallyi. Moraes and Henderson (1990) reviewed the genus Parajubaea and concluded that different fruit sizes were probably due to variation within the wild species. Further fieldwork and new measurements were undertaken in Bolivia to determine if these were two species of Parajubaea or merely a variability within a single species. Moraes and Vargas (1994) preferred the two species hypothesis, with a distinct pattern of distribution for each. Finally, there are three distinct populations, each related to different valleys and ecosystems; they belong to three hydrographie systems that are separated by several mountain ranges and are influenced by distinctive climatic conditions. (M. Moraes. 1996)/Palmweb.

Uses: The indians, who know nothing about culture or economic value of plants, are accustomed to burn the palm shells after they have removed the heart. Seeds are eaten. Its fibers were used to make ropes and leaves to make baskets and fans. The "palma de zunkha" has four parts that are exploited. The fiber ("zunkha"). The fiber and leaf products are seen for sale in the Vallegrande marketplace but are not usually exported to the larger cities. Ropes ("sogas"). Twisted "zunkha"

"A impressive palm rarely seen, just a few of this palms grow in cultivation near to its habitat, most in public parks. Many trials of transplanting near to its habitat have failed. It could be usefull as a garden plant in interior Australia and USA, but is still very scarce." (Gaston Torres Vera)

Parajubaea torallyi is one of the most stunning of all palms, combining the majestic appearance of a Jubaea with the robustness and speed of growth of a Syagrus. Native to Bolivia, it grows in the dry and dusty, interandean valleys to over 3000 m (10000 ft.). There are two disjunct populations that differ mainly in fruit size and have recently been described as two distinct varieties, the small fruited P. torallyi var. microcarpa and the large-fruited P. torallyi var. torallyi. While not drastically different in appearance, var. microcarpa does not reach quite the dimensions of its large fruited cousin, but in terms of adaptability and robustness, it falls nothing short of it. The much smaller size of the seeds of var. microcarpa reflects in their price, making it by far the more economical of the two to grow from seed. The seeds have an unfair reputation of being very unreliable to germinate. Our own trials with fresh and mature seeds have shown that it does not deserve this reputation. While we indeed found germination to be somewhat erratic, we also found that seeds will eventually sprout quite happily when sown under proper conditions, i.e. on the surface of seed beds, buried only halfway, and kept only slightly moist. With proper care, in a cool temperate to mild subtropical climate and a place in full sun, seedlings will quickly develop into tall, robust-trunked palms with a large, shuttlecock-like crowns of finely pinnate, leathery leaves. Its tolerance to drought, heat, cold, frost, and other adverse conditions and ability to maintain a great appearance causes some to say that this legendary palm not only has enormous potential as an ornamental, but that it could become one of the most desirable landscaping palms for warm temperate and subtropical areas. (RPS.com)

Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi to us really is the best of the Parajubaea and one of the world’s most fabulous palms (perhaps a bias based on our search of it in the dry and dusty, remote valleys of Bolivia years ago), and we are very proud to finally be able to offer seeds of this very exciting species. It grows to a higher altitude than any other palm in the world at a breathtaking (in every sense of the word) 3400 m (11100 ft.) or possibly even 3600 m (11800 ft.). It is one of the most stunning of all palms, combining the majestic appearance of a Jubaea with the robustness and speed of growth of a Syagrus. The large and very unusually sculptured seeds have an unfair reputation of being very unreliable to germinate. Our own trials with fresh and mature seeds have shown that it does not deserve this reputation. While we indeed found germination to be somewhat erratic, we also found that seeds will eventually sprout quite happily when sown under proper conditions, i.e. on the surface of seed beds, buried only halfway, and kept only slightly moist. All they require is patience. With proper care and a sunny spot (a must!) in a cool temperate to mild subtropical climate, seedlings will quickly develop into tall, robust-trunked palms with a large, shuttlecock-like crowns of finely pinnate, leathery leaves. Its tolerance to drought, heat, cold, frost, and other adverse conditions and ability to maintain a great appearance causes some to say that this legendary palm not only has enormous potential as an ornamental, but that it could become one of the most desirable landscaping palms for warm temperate and subtropical areas. (RPS.com)

"The seeds actually contain coconut milk too until they dry out. They are also coated with a thick yellow rind like regular coconuts. It's just all miniature, that's all". (Dr. Axel Kratel)




  • IMAGE GALLERY

  • Fallbrook, California. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Fallbrook, California. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Fallbrook, California. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Bolivia. Photo by Dr. Andrew J. Henderson/Palmweb.

  • Cordoba, Argentina. Photo by Gaston Torres Vera

  • Bolivia. Photo by Dr. Andrew J. Henderson/Palmweb.

  • Cordoba, Argentina. Photo by Gaston Torres Vera

  • Cordoba, Argentina. Photo by Gaston Torres Vera

  • Parajubaea coccoides on right, next to a torrallyi on the left- planted a lot later. Ventura, CA. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Ventura, CA. On left is P torralyi, and one on right is much older P cocoides. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Bolivia. Photo-The European Palm Society

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • Santa Barbara CA. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • Fallbrook, CA. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Bronze tomentum on leaf underside. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by Geoff, Stein

  • Westminster, Orange County, CA. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • SoCal. Photo by DoomsDave

  • SoCal. Photo by DoomsDave

  • Thousand Oaks, CA. Photo by DoomsDave

  • Westminster, Orange County, CA. Photo by DoomsDave

  • Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo by Brandt Maxwell

  • Huntington Beach, California. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • several plants in Orange County, California. Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Photo by Geoff Stein

  • Photo by Geoff Stein

  • University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, CA. Photo by growin.

  • Santa Cruz, CA. Photo by Dr. Axel Kratel.

  • Parajubaea torallyi CFGs394.jpg
  • Parajubaea torallyi CFGs395.jpg

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi. Rare Palm Seeds.com

  • Vallegrande, Bolivia. Photo by Ed Brown III

  • Bolivia.

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. microcarpa. Rare Palm Seeds.com

  • Jardín Botánico Martín Cárdenas, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo by Christian Defferrard.

  • Jardín Botánico Martín Cárdenas, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo by Christian Defferrard.

  • Jardín Botánico Martín Cárdenas, Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo by Christian Defferrard.

  • Queensland, Australia. Photo by Ben.

  • Photo: Jungle Music Palms & Cycads.com

  • Parajubaea torallyi growing at 2000 m, Vallegrande, Depto. Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

  • Photo: cycadpalm.com

  • Cochabamba, Bolivia. Photo by Brandt Maxwell.

  • Bolivia. 1969. Photo by L. H. Bailey Hortorium.

  • Bolivia. 1969. Photo by L. H. Bailey Hortorium.

  • TorallyiB.jpg

  • Santa Cruz, CA. Photo by Dr. Axel Kratel.

  • Santa Cruz, CA. Photo by Dr. Axel Kratel.

  • Photo-palmsociety.org.

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. microcarpa. Photo: palmeperpaket.de

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. microcarpa. Photo: palmeperpaket.de

  • Christchurch, NZ. Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi. Photo by kata.

  • Photo: palmenmann.de

  • Photo: palmenmann.de

  • Photo: palmenmann.de

  • Photo: palmenmann.de

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi. Photo: achat-vente-palmiers.com

  • Image by kpr.eu

  • ParCoc seeds.jpg

  • Irregularly Sculptured Endocarp with 3 Prominent Ridges in 2 Views.

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. torallyi seeds. Rare Palm Seeds.com

  • Parajubaea torallyi var. microcarpa seeds. Rare Palm Seeds.com

  • Photo: palmsnc.org

  • Image Text: palmsnc.org

  • Image Text: bolnatseed.5u.com

  • Image Text: bolnatseed.5u.com

  • Image Text: bolnatseed.5u.com

  • Image Text: sergio Palms

  • Image Text: cycadpalm.com

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).

Moraes, M.1996. Novelties of the Genera Parajubaea and Syagrus (Palmae) from Interandean Valleys of Bolivia. Novon 6: 85-92.


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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