Sabal palmetto

cabbagepalmfull
(Photo by Marcel Smith)

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Taxonomy (1)

Classification: Angiosperm, monocot
Family: Arecaceae
Common name: Sabal palm, Cabbage palm

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Southeastern United States, Cuba, Bahamas
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 8-10
Growth Habit: Tree, but not a true tree

  • Size: 50-70 feet
  • Fruiting: Late fall to early winter

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1)

  • Other: Yellow-green to dull green in color, leaves are about 12 feet long

cabbagepalmleaf
(Photo by Marcel Smith)

Stem/Bark (2)

  • Other: No bark, becomes wider towards the top

cabbagepalmstem
(Photo by Marcel Smith)

Flower (1) 

  • Color: Creamy white

Fruit (1)

  • Fruit type: Drupe
  • Color: Purple to yellow

Horticultural Information (1,3)

  • Light: Full sun to partial shade
  • Maintenance: Easy to care for
  • Landscape Uses: Beachside, ornamentals, and along streets
  • Other: Salt and drought tolerant

Interesting Facts (2)

  • The "heart" tastes like cabbage, but it kills the plant when it is removed

References

1) Scheper, J. (2004). Sabal palmetto. Floridata. April 1, 2013, from http://www.floridata.com/ref/s/sab_palm.cfm.
2) Stibolt, G. (n.d.). Palmettos in the Landscape. Floridata. April 1, 2013, from http://www.floridata.com/tracks/transplantedgardener/palmettos.cfm.
3) Butler, M. (n.d.). How to Prune a Sabal Palmetto. Ehow. April, 2, 2013, from http://www.ehow.com/how_10043087_prune-sabal-palmetto.html. 

Prepared by Marcel Smith as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek