The elephant palm is one of the most attractive palm trees in the world, which got its interesting name for the similarity of the lower part of the trunk to the elephant leg. With cirrus-dissected large leaves (about 5 meters in length), yubeya (its scientific name) is characterized by edible seeds and yellowish-brown fruits, flattened at the base and pointed at the top.
Its leaves are used as covering material for the roof, and nutritious juice is extracted from the trunk, which is the basis for the production of honey-flavored syrup.
What is the name of the elephant palm?
In connection with such characteristic features, the yubeyu, whose homeland is Chile, is also called the "honey palm".
The growth of such an interesting tree is very slow, for many years leaves can peek directly from the ground. With a two-meter trunk length, we can safely say that the age of such a palm tree is at least 35-40 years. It was at this time that the plant entered the fruiting period. During the period from April to September, the tree can be enriched with only 5-8 leaves, the average life span of which is 6 years. Adult yubeya in height is capable of reaching 25 meters. Fruits collected in clusters weighing about 10 kg are formed directly under the leaves. Of greatest interest is the fruit, resembling a chicken egg in shape and containing from 4 to 9 seeds.
Ivory value
Inside the seminal cavity of the fetus, an accumulation of liquid similar to coconut milk occurs, which subsequently hardens, turning into sweet jelly. Then begins the process of its solidification and transformation into a solid white substance - very strong and outwardly resembling ivory. Masters in contact with such material are even forced to leave a certain amount of shell on their work to show that this product is not prohibited.
Such vegetable bone, which lends itself to polishing and absorbs paint well, is the basis of all kinds of products. These are jewelry, figurines, umbrella handles, chess pieces, piano keys and other useful things traditionally made of ivory. Buttons that go to decorate high-quality expensive clothing are also derived from ivory, which has been traded since the early 20th century. It was from Ecuador to the middle of the last century that thousands of tons of fruits of this unique tree were transported; trade was discontinued due to the emergence of inexpensive plastic, replacing the fruits of ivory. In addition to the production of original products, the juice of the fruit of the plant was boiled and fermented into a unique wine; it is these features of the palm that led to its almost complete destruction: every tenth tree was damaged.
Yubeya - decoration of any site
Yubeya, a palm tree named after the Moorish king Yuba II, is very popular all over the world and is found on every continent. Ivory palm trees are wonderful trees for landscaping; impressive, powerful, planted in one row, they give the impression of a colonnade.
Monolithic massive appearance, ease of cultivation, high frost resistance (up to -15 о С), exotic appearance are factors for which the ivory palm is respected in all corners of the planet. Yubeya Chilean is a thermophilic plant and is able to withstand elevated temperatures; the most comfortable for her are + 28-35 o C.
Yubeya as a houseplant
Elephant palm can be grown as a houseplant; indoors prefers bright sides. In the summer, a container with a tree can be taken out to the street or kept on the balcony, covering from direct sunlight. Watering the plant should be moderate, with a significant reduction in winter; an excess of moisture in the soil is not recommended, otherwise the tips of the leaves will turn brown. An ivory palm does not treat horse watering well, otherwise decay of the growth point may begin. The Chilean yubiya needs to be sprayed regularly, the leaves should be irrigated with water (soft and warm) on both sides. The tree is fed in early spring and mid-summer with palm fertilizers.
