The Quito palm, also known as coquitos or little coconut, thrives in high altitude and temperate climates. It is native to the Andes and can withstand temperatures well below 0°C. This palm is especially suited for regions with elevations of 3,000 meters or more. It is tolerant of both high and low temperatures and prefers a sunny position. The Quito palm has the ability to grow quickly and can produce its first crop of nuts within 3 - 4 years. It is long-lived and can survive for extended periods without water. The plant bears clusters of edible nuts that resemble coconuts in appearance and taste. These nuts are around 4 - 5 cm in diameter and contain a usable oil. The preferred method of propagation is through seed, with germination typically taking a year or longer. Fresh seed tends to germinate more quickly, and placing the seeds in a warm peat moss-filled plastic bag has proven to be an effective germination method.
Common Name: Quito palm
Parajubaea cocoides, also known as Quito palm or coquitos, is a tall and elegant palm native to the Andes. It thrives in high altitudes, tolerating both freezing temperatures and high heat. This fast-growing palm produces clusters of edible nuts that resemble and taste like coconut, and it can survive for extended periods without water.
Parajubaea cocoides
Ecuador
- The Parajubaea cocoides palm is also known as Quito palm, coquitos, or little coconut. - It is native to the Andes and thrives at high altitudes above 3,000 meters. - This palm is well-suited for temperate and high altitude tropical regions. - It can tolerate both very low and high temperatures. - The plant prefers a sunny position but may lose vigor if evening temperatures remain high. - Parajubaea cocoides has a similar appearance to the coconut palm. - It has a long lifespan and is exceptionally fast-growing for a palm. - The palm can produce its first crop of nuts within 3-4 years. - It develops deep roots and can survive for months without water once established. - The plant bears clusters of 30-50 edible nuts, which are around 4-5 cm in diameter. - The nuts resemble coconuts in both appearance and taste. - The nuts contain usable oil and turn brown after falling from the palm. - Propagation of Parajubaea cocoides is done through seeds. - Germination of the seeds can take a year or more. - Fresh seeds tend to germinate faster. - A recommended method for germination is to keep the seeds in a plastic bag of warm peat moss and monitor them regularly.
The Quito palm prefers well-draining soil and is adaptable to a variety of soil types.
Native to the Andes, this tall (to 15 m), elegant palm occurs at very high altitudes (3,000 m and more) and is therefore especially suited to temperate and high altitude tropics. It is able to withstand temperatures well below 0°C and is also tolerant of high temperatures. It prefers a sunny position. The plant is reported to lose vigour when evening temperatures remain high. The plant has an appearance similar to the coconut palm.
It is long lived and extremely fast growing for a palm and can produce its first crop of nuts within 3 - 4 years. It puts down very deep roots and once established is able to survive for months without water.
The plant bears long clusters of 30 - 50 edible nuts, 4 - 5 cm in diameter, which look and taste like coconut. The nuts contain a usable oil. The nuts are green when they first fall and turn brown soon after.
Propagation is by seed. Germination can take a year or more. Fresh seed seems to germinate fastest. Leaving the seeds in a plastic bag of warm peat moss and checking them often has proven a good method of germination.