Description Butia odorata is a large species of Butia from Uruguay and along the southern border of Brazil. It is the most common Butia in cultivation. It has a glaucous grey/blue leaf colouration. The worlds largest natural Butia population is of Butia odorata in Rocha ,Uruguay. Yet even this population is threatened as all young palms are grazed by cattle and there is nothing to replace the older population which is gradually dying. In my opinion this is the one of the hardiest Butias. It is also a very easy Butia species , it is not fussy about soil requirements, and given good drainage , and a raised bed wont give any problems. In pots they are vulnerable to the pot freezing. Whilst they are very hardy , it is prudent to protect them during the very coldest and most severe spells of weather , if a spell of weather is forecast with day and night temperatures below freezing, it is prudent to wrap up the leaves and insulate the main body of the plant against cold penetrating into the heart of the trunk. There is some confusion about the naming of Butias. The various species have been reviewed, and what was previously called Butia capitata is now known as Butia odorata. Butia capitata is a mid sized Butia from central Brazil not known to cultivation.
