Chilean Wine Palm

Widely grown as an ornamental tree, this versatile palm (Jubaea chilensis) from Chile is also harvested for its sap.

The tree is felled with its top lying uphill. When the crown of leaves is chopped off, the sap flows from the trunk. Trees can yield up to 90 gallons of sap over several months. This can be fermented into palm wine or concentrated into a syrup.

The nut, which is like a tiny coconut, also yields edible oil, while the spectacular, feathered leaves are used to make baskets.

Did you know?
Kew’s Chilean Wine Palm was raised from seed in 1846. It is now believed to be the world’s tallest glasshouse plant.
Wild populations of this palm are suffering because the tree is felled to extract the sap.

Back up to: temperate house plants

On to: Chilli