In Search Of Butiagrus
Have you ever had an obsession to see a particular
palm? if you have, you will understand this quest for the hybrid
cross between Butia and Syagrus and join in the pleasure of success.
Michel Lembreghts, 8 rue Albert 1er, 4620 Fleron, Belgium
Chamaerops No.25 Winter 1996/97
Butiagrus, detail of leaves and trunk
Butiarecastrum nabonnandii, or more correctly 'Butyagrus
nabonnandii', is an infertile hybrid between Butia sp. and Syagrus
romanzoffiana It was first produced at the beginning of this century
by a French horticulturist Dr Paul Nabonnand. It shows characteristics
intermediate between the two parent species. Such sub jects are
very infrequent. In France, only three specimens are known and these
are in private gardens and thus rarely encountered by palm enthusiasts.
Last August during my summer holiday in the south
of France, I decided to search for one of them. Just to see and
maybe to touch it! Through the French association 'Fous de Palmiers'
I learned that a Butiagrus stood in a private garden in Toulon,
a port city close to famous Marseille at the western end of the
French Riviera. The first step was to reach 'Ortolans Avemie' and
then to get to 'Parc St-Jean'. A friend of mine, living in Toulon,
drove me to the right place, located north-west of the city. It
is a residential district, planted with both young and old palms.
Having parked the car, we walked along some small streets roaming
and sweating on this hot sunny afternoon. My heart was beating heavily
when I saw the second clue of our treasure hunt, an outstanding
Brahea armata, whose owner allowed me to collect a lot of seeds.
At this corner we had to walk up some stone steps to the third clue
of our adventurer an ancient and drie&up fountain. And then
I saw it: the Butiarecastrum of my dreams, with the wind gently
blowing through its half plumose, arching leaves.
I took a lot of pictures, as if I needed that to prove
to myself that it was real. The palm was about 6m high, with quite
a big ringed grey trunk which reminded me of my beloved Jubaea.
In fact it was. of course. a mix closer to Butia capitata and Syagrus
romanzoffiana The base of the petioles was reminiscent of Butia
because of their arching appearance. The light-green leaflets seemed
to be plumose. rather like Syagrus but thicker. In a word a perfect
hybrid harmony. displaying features from both its parents and maybe
also. from a remote shared ancestor?
Fortunately the owner was in his garden and kindly
let me in. He explained to me that the tree was about 50 to 100
years old and had been preserved during the rebuilding of the district.
He also told me that the inflorescence had been recently cut down
by the French Palm Association for in vitro culture. I do hope that
this experiment will bring successful results. Finally, I
took the thrilling opportunity to actually touch this palm. For
sure I will return next year. Acknowledgements: I especially want
to thank Madame Violette Decugis for passing me the golden keys
to succeed in this hot trip. the postman of the district who helped
me when I was roaming and moaning, Mrs Caillaud and her generous
Brahea armata for the yellow fruits and seeds and, above all, Mr
Andreani who opened .the door despite the twinkling teeth of his
black Belgian guard dog.
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