Parajubaea torallyi - Palm

The Parajubaea torallyi is an elegant Bolivian palm tree, fast-growing and adapted to difficult conditions. Its only flaw is its relative hardiness, especially in heavy and humid soil. Native to dry and dusty Andean valleys where it grows between 2700 and 3400 m (8858 and 11155ft) altitude, subjected to frequent frosts, it is already abundantly planted in Portugal and Spain where its slender silhouette crowned with large finely cut green to grey-green leaves is appreciated along avenues. Becoming rare in its original lands due to human greed, this palm tree with edible fruits may find refuge in your garden. It tolerates limestone, withstands drought and cold down to -7°C (19.4°F)!

A fast-growing shrubby plant of the arecaceae family, highly appreciated as an ornamental plant, the Parajubaea torallyi thrives at high altitudes in dry habitats, receiving only 550 mm (22in) of water per year, on rocky soil of steep slopes, in dry forests, experiencing dry summers but also relatively cold temperatures in winter. It is now endangered in its very restricted natural habitat.

The plant, referred to as unicaule, produces only one trunk called a stipe, reaching up to 10 m (33ft) in height and 20 cm (8in) in diameter at an advanced age. It carries at its top a dense crown, at least 5m (16ft) wide. The stipe is covered with a thick layer of fibers and leaves, it has a tapering appearance during the first 10 to 15 years, then becomes columnar. The crown can have up to 20 pinnate leaves, 3 to 5m (10 to 16ft) long, rigid, leathery, erect to slightly pendulous at the periphery, dark green and striated on the upper side, slightly silver on the underside of young leaves.  This cluster of leaves hides in its center the unique meristem responsible for the growth of this palm tree. The growth rate is directly related to the more or less favorable conditions of the environment; faster in deep, fertile and moist soil, a little slower in the opposite case. Flowering only occurs after many years. Large inflorescences, over 1m (3ft) long, covered with brown velvet, appear among the lower leaves. They are composed of numerous unisexual flowers, male or female. After fertilization, the fruits resemble small coconuts, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in diameter, gathered in clusters weighing up to 15 kg. The fruits will ripen in favorable climates.

This elegant palm tree, which has recently appeared in southwestern Europe and California, seems to have a promising future. It is not demanding in terms of water and heat, accommodating in terms of soil if it is well-drained, and quickly makes a strong impression in a mild climate garden. In the ground, it can be placed in isolation, not far from a swimming pool for example, in the company of banana trees or yuccas, in an exotic-inspired setting. But this species, very drought-resistant, will express its full potential in a Mediterranean-style garden, accompanied by Cycas or the Duprez Cypress (Cupressus dupreziana), a true Saharan relic almost extinct in its native Tassili des Ajjers. A bit difficult to associate due to its strong personality, it can nevertheless be planted in groups of 3 subjects and surrounded by a carpet of thyme, a sowing of California Poppies, or a bench of Felicia. A contemporary garden will adopt it above a tide of white pebbles.