Level of Significance
- File
- Local
- Regional
- State
- National
Age (approx)
130yrsTrees
1Diameter
1mHeight - 13m
Details
Common name
Chilean Wine Palm
Botanical name
Jubaea chilensis
Type
Specimen
Condition
Good
Municipality
Melbourne (VIC)
Location
Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue Melbourne VIC 3000
Access
Unrestricted
Significances
- Outstanding species (Scientific)
- Park/Garden/Town (Historic)
Date of measurement
12 Mar 1991
Date of classification
09 Mar 2015
Statement of Significance
Although described somewhat disdainfully by Charles Darwin as a 'very ugly tree', many consider theJubaea chilensis to be one of the most impressive palms in the world. The lifespan of this species is not known but there are reports of large specimens in Chile living for several hundred years. Historically, the Chilean wine palm was extremely abundant, but several centuries of destructive over-harvesting for the collection of sap have reduced it to just a few significant populations. The remaining populations of the Chilean wine palm are mainly restricted to protected areas.