The Butia. Yet another palm ideally suited for Southern California. It is among a small number of pinnate palms with a reduplicate leaf form that does well in hot, dry climates.

Resistant to drought, cold and coastal salt air, this palm will take full sun or partial shade. It will grow in containers or in the ground and thrives in the inland heat -- possibly even into the desert regions -- tolerating short spells as low as 15 degrees. It is adaptable to most soil types. Frequent watering is recommended during hot or dry spells until mature (2 years) and then little to moderate water should be required. This palm will flourish with a little help from regular fertilization and can suffer from magnesium deficiency in poor, clay soil. Fronds do not self clean, so removal by trimming above leaf bases will keep your Pindo Palm beautiful.

The slow yet steady-growing Pindo Palm has the potential to reach 15-25 feet tall, however this could take up to 80 years. Its curving, feathery fronds can grow up to 9 feet long.

Hardy pinnate palm with reduplicate leaf form and large stem. Persistent fibrious leaf bases form wide trunk giving way to solitary, grey stem about 1.5 foot in diameter. The crown is robust with long leaves. Leaf petioloe is 28 to 26 inches long with additional 6-9 foot rachis that dramatically arches and recurves toward the ground. Petiole is lightly armed with teeth near base.