Butia yatay, commonly known as yatay, it is a species of palm belonging to the Aracaceae family. It is a slow-growing palm, with an erect stem that can be about 10 m tall. The leaves are pinnate, arranged in a V shape. The leaves are about 3 m long, being gray-green or bluish-gray in color and arched, while the petioles have spines..
It is a monoecious species, with yellow flowers, arranged in flexuous inflorescences 2 m long. Produces edible, ovoid-shaped, orange-colored fruits which attract many birds.
The yatay palm can live in environments with hot or cold climates and can withstand down to -14 ° C. It grows well in well-drained, alkaline, sandy and also clay soils. The extensions of this species form palm groves. It is a palm native to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. In fact, it appears in one of the last coins of Argentina.
This species of palm serves as an ornamental, is ideal for alignments, and when it is in its youthful growth phase, it is generally kept in pots to adorn terraces or patios..
Historically, the fruit of the yatay palm served as food for the blue macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus), which is possibly already extinct. Also note that an alcoholic drink is prepared from the fruit.
Also, the fruit is considered one of the best foods to fatten cattle. Another usefulness of the yatay palm is that a floury substance is formed in its glass, and from this substance starch is made that serves as a nutritional product..
Regarding its medicinal use, the seed is used to eliminate intestinal parasites. Its leaves are used to build shelters, mats, roofs and brooms.
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From the palms of the genre Butia, this is the species with the tallest stems, being able to reach up to 10 m in height and reach a diameter that ranges from 50 to 200 cm. The trunk of these palms is covered by the base left by the old leaves, which are elongated and arranged neatly around the stem..
The yatay has about 72 pinnae on each side of the rachis and they are arranged in a V shape. It has spines on the margins of the petioles and fibers at the base of the petioles. Its leaves are bluish-gray or greyish-green. They are also arched and can measure up to three meters long..
The flowers of the yatay are yellowish. They are arranged in flexuous inflorescences that are about 2 m long, and contain up to 100 flowers that are protected by a ribbed spathe with a woody texture. The yatay is a monoecious species.
The fruits of the yatay palm can measure up to 4.2 cm long by 2.8 cm in diameter, are ovoid and orange in color. They are formed in a raceme that is protected by bracts up to a third of the surface of this inflorescence. This fruit is a source of food for many birds.
Its name yatay comes from the Guarani name "yataí", given by the Brazilian indigenous to this plant.
-Kingdom: Plantae
-Phylum: Tracheophyta
-Class: Liliopsida
-Superorder: Lilianae
-Order: Arecales
-Family: Arecaceae
-Gender: Butia
-Species: Butia yatay
This species is also known as: Butia capitata subsp. yatay, Butia missionera, Butia poni, Butia quaraimana, Calappa yatay, Cocos poni, Cocos yatay (basionym), Syagrus yatay.
This palm is resistant to cold, it can even withstand frosts down to -14 ° C. It grows well in sandy, alkaline and clay soils with a pH around 7.
The populations of these palms are affected by the transformation of land for other crops and livestock grazing, which kills young individuals.
This plant lives in quality or cold regions. As it is a wild species, it can withstand the wind well, in addition to the saline wind. The extensions that this palm forms are known as palmares.
This plant is found naturally in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Regarding the ecological issue, the fruit of the yatay palm served as food for the blue macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) which is possibly already extinct.
The fruits of the yatay are edible and are used to make a liqueur. They have a succulent, fibrous and thick pulp; they have an acid-sweet flavor which is the base of this liquor. In addition, with its ripe fruits you can also prepare delicious sweets.
It is an ornamental species, it is used as a solitary plant, in rows and in a juvenile state it is kept in a pot to decorate patios and terraces. Used in landscaping projects.
Regarding its medicinal use, traditionally the seed is used to eliminate intestinal parasites.
Its leaves are used to build shelters, mats, and roofs. In addition, the leaves are used to make brooms.
For its part, the wood is not very usable since it is considered of poor quality.
Likewise, the fruit in the shape of small coconuts is considered one of the best foods to fatten cattle. From the cows that consume this plant on the land where it lives, the best quality cheeses are made.
Another usefulness of the yatay palm is that a floury substance is formed in its glass, and from this substance starch is made that serves as a nutritional product..
It must have good drainage since it does not support waterlogging. It must be clayey, sandy, with a neutral pH.
Yatay palm does well in direct sunlight..
In the dry season is when irrigation is required; rest, it should be watered when the substrate dries.
Organic matter must be applied, and eventually mineral fertilizer to facilitate the growth of the plant.
It is made from seeds, which are sown in deep pots in order for the root to establish properly.
It is one of the palms most attacked by lepidopteran caterpillars Paysandisia archon or American butterfly. In addition, it is sensitive to saprophytic fungi.
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