species: Jubaea chilensis
common name: Chilean wine palm
family: Arecaceae
where & when encountered: Ventura, CA - 2016
The second largest species of palm by mass, the Chilean wine palm is distinguished by its hefty trunk. Within that trunk is a sugar-rich sap which is used to make wine. This specimen got scorched by the Thomas Fire, but otherwise seems to be surviving at the Ventura Botanical Gardens.
Even though I am not a wine fan, I WOULD like to try wine from the Chilean wine palm.
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