Mule Palm Fruit

[Gville Palms]

This is a mule from Merrill Wilcox that is on campus where I work. I have watched it for a number of years and have never seen it produce anything. This year it is loaded with seeds and fruit (pics below). Any chance these could be viable? I’ve read quite a few discussions on here and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone say that they’ve successfully germinated one but wanted to ask for some fresh thoughts on the matter.  

[DTS]

Most likely not. That's probably hwy it's called the Mule Palm

[Dwarf Fan]

48 minutes ago, DTS said:

Most likely not. That's probably hwy it's called the Mule Palm

They say they are usually sterile OP clean off the flesh and crack open the seed with a vice grip or pliers or channel locks or a hammer and take a pic and post it here to see if there is a developed endosperm and embryo.

[Fusca]

1 hour ago, Gville Palms said:

This is a mule from Merrill Wilcox that is on campus where I work. I have watched it for a number of years and have never seen it produce anything. This year it is loaded with seeds and fruit (pics below). Any chance these could be viable? I’ve read quite a few discussions on here and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone say that they’ve successfully germinated one but wanted to ask for some fresh thoughts on the matter.  

There's a couple of mules near me that produce fruits from time to time.  Not sure if they were backcrossed with Syagrus or Butia pollen but possibly.  The seeds were not fully developed so not viable.  I understand that some in California have successfully germinated seeds from a mule at the Huntington so it is possible.  Like @Dwarf Fan suggested cut a seed open and see if there's an embryo.  If not, no viability.  It's a nice looking palm!

[Colin1110082]

Mules can’t reproduce I thought?

[Fusca]

15 minutes ago, Colin1110082 said:

Mules can’t reproduce I thought?

On their own, quite rare but it happens.  They can also be backcrossed with other pollen such as Butia.

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/62114-has-anyone-bred-back-mules-to-fertility/

[Gville Palms]

Thanks for all of your input. I got around to picking up some seeds today and it appears they’re just solid black rocks - unless you more experienced folks see something I don’t. 

[Scott W]

1 hour ago, Gville Palms said:

Thanks for all of your input. I got around to picking up some seeds today and it appears they’re just solid black rocks - unless you more experienced folks see something I don’t. 

Were these the fresh seeds or older ones with the fruit already removed?  I ask as those seem dessicated which would indicate to me an older, dried out seed.

[Scott W]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:22 PM, Fusca said:

On their own, quite rare but it happens.  They can also be backcrossed with other pollen such as Butia.

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/62114-has-anyone-bred-back-mules-to-fertility/

Local hybridizer Rich Lindberg backcrossed a Wilcox mule with pollen from a Wilcox F3 Jubutia, which did produce viable seeds.  Problem was the endocarp was so thick they didn't germinate on their own and had to have the kernal removed.  I got three to germinate from this and have one surviving plant.

Reality though back crossing a mule with Butia or Syagrus really doesn't gain you anything,  at least that's the general consensus.