Searching Google Maps for somewhere nice to have lunch, I came across a restaurant opposite Giardino Garibaldi (always on the lookout for potential palm locations 😉).

As we tucked in, I noticed this specimen in the distance. Upon closer inspection, I believed it to be Butia odorata x Jubaea chilensis. 

It's producing viable seed, which is most likely self pollinated as there aren't any other cocoid palms close by as far as I could tell (some Syagrus romanzoffiana 5-10 minutes walk towards the coastline). Most of the seed floated in water, but I'm persevering with them as I've germinated floating Jubaea and Butia before. 

Further research online uncovered an old article on the European Palm Society that confirms the ID. http://www.palmsociety.org/members/english/chamaerops/041/041-14.shtml by Juergen Plaumann (Chamaerops No. 41). There is also a picture of it on there.

BxJ seed with endocarps intact.

BxJ cracked and endocarps removed

@Jonathan Haycock, that's an awesome palm for sure!  You probably won't have any trouble germinating the seeds - I believe they're self-fertile.  I received this BxJ F2 that was germinated from seed collected from a BxJ in northern Louisiana.  Unfortunately it had no hybrid vigor growing similar to a plain Butia.  I'd expect half of the seedlings to resemble the parent BxJ.

29 minutes ago, Fusca said:

@Jonathan Haycock, that's an awesome palm for sure!  You probably won't have any trouble germinating the seeds - I believe they're self-fertile.  I received this BxJ F2 that was germinated from seed collected from a BxJ in northern Louisiana.  Unfortunately it had no hybrid vigor growing similar to a plain Butia.  I'd expect half of the seedlings to resemble the parent BxJ.

I split one of them open and located an embryo, which is encouraging. However, it's old seed so has dried somewhat and also floated in water. Usually that means bad seed, but I've germinated Jubaea and Butia in this condition previously so it is possible. 

11 hours ago, Jonathan Haycock said:

Searching Google Maps for somewhere nice to have lunch, I came across a restaurant opposite Giardino Garibaldi (always on the lookout for potential palm locations 😉).

As we tucked in, I noticed this specimen in the distance. Upon closer inspection, I believed it to be Butia odorata x Jubaea chilensis. 

It's producing viable seed, which is most likely self pollinated as there aren't any other cocoid palms close by as far as I could tell (some Syagrus romanzoffiana 5-10 minutes walk towards the coastline). Most of the seed floated in water, but I'm persevering with them as I've germinated floating Jubaea and Butia before. 

Further research online uncovered an old article on the European Palm Society that confirms the ID. http://www.palmsociety.org/members/english/chamaerops/041/041-14.shtml by Juergen Plaumann (Chamaerops No. 41). There is also a picture of it on there.

BxJ seed with endocarps intact.

BxJ cracked and endocarps removed

Awesome find! I hope you are successful in germinating seeds.

That is a great looking tree and I would love to get my hands on either BxJ or JxB.

Awesome share. I think this is the most mature one I’ve seen a picture of. Other than possibly the RPS product photos. 
Did it seem to be shaded?  The fronds are so green and lush. 
beautiful plant!

AWESOME

Excellent dining spot, it seems

1 hour ago, NC-Key-Bar said:

Awesome share. I think this is the most mature one I’ve seen a picture of. Other than possibly the RPS product photos. 
Did it seem to be shaded?  The fronds are so green and lush. 
beautiful plant!

It's sheltered by larger trees on one side, plus it's in the middle of a square surrounded by tall buildings. It would get some direct sun for at least part of the day.

Pleased to report that some of the seed has started to pop. Vast majority floated when soaked in water for a week. Worth picking up the old seed if you’re ever passing this palm.

14 hours ago, Jonathan Haycock said:

Pleased to report that some of the seed has started to pop

WHAT it's been two weeks! That is amazing! So you pop the endocarp off using a (? vise?)? And then pop them into baggies of moistened sphagnum at what temperature? I am *impressed!*

8 hours ago, tarnado said:

WHAT it's been two weeks! That is amazing! So you pop the endocarp off using a (? vise?)? And then pop them into baggies of moistened sphagnum at what temperature? I am *impressed!*

They were dried for a couple of weeks whilst we were away, then I cracked them in a vice. Definitely a knack to cracking, that comes from trial and error over many years (trying different positions to exploit planes of weakness). Soaked in water (changed daily) for a week, then 24 hours in 6% hydrogen peroxide. Sowed in moist sphagnum baggies in a plastic tray on a heat mat set to 35C during the day, and turned off at night (hasn’t dropped below 25C in the garage as it’s summer here).