Family: Arecaceae
Common Name: Palmetto

Sabal comprises some 15 species of fan palms, native to southern North America and the Caribbean. They may have tall, upright trunks or very short, mainly underground, stems. The fan-type fronds are deeply segmented. These are borne on stout, spineless leaf stalks which often persist on the trunk for many years. When grown in parks and botanical gardens, the stalks are often trimmed, giving these palms quite a distinctive appearance. The much-branched inflorescence consists of creamy flowers enclosed by tightly overlapping, smooth, green bracts. The rounded fruits ripen to dark brown or almost black. Sabals are not difficult to grow, doing well in a wide range of conditions and climates, from temperate to tropical. They will also adapt to exposed, coastal conditions. Like most other fan palms, they are fairly slow growing. Palmetto fronds have tradition-ally been used as roof thatching.

Species

S. blackburniana (Synonym: S. umbraculifera), from the West Indies, is the largest species, with a trunk to about 15 m (50 ft) high and 50 cm (20 in) diameter, becoming smooth and pale gray with age. The very large, pendulous leaves are borne on thick, green leaf stalks, about 2.5 m (8 ft) long. This species makes an outstanding feature plant.

S. minor, dwarf palmetto, is found over a large part of southern United States. This species has a stem that is mostly underground and the dull green fronds emerge from the trunk to a height of about 1 m (3 ft). As they age, the leaves tend to collapse from a point around the top of the leaf stalk. The inflorescence is quite striking, consisting of small, white, fragrant flowers and rising vertically to about 2 m (6 ft). Masses of pea-sized, dark brown fruits appear along the branchlets.

S. palmetto, common palmetto or cabbage palmetto, is spread from southeast North America through to Cuba and the Bahamas, growing to 25 m (80 ft) in the wild but generally about 10 m (33 ft) in cultivation. It has a sturdy trunk, about 40 cm (16 in) in diameter, bearing markings of old leaf bases, and a rounded, compact crown. The fan-type fronds are borne on short, stout leaf stalks. The name is Spanish for 'little palm', a name given by early Spanish settlers in Florida.

Cultivation

Sabals prefer deep soils, with groundwater close to the surface, but will adapt to less favorable conditions. Adult palms like full sun, while younger specimens tolerate quite deep shade. Most of the species are tropical, but S. palmetto and S. minor can tolerate low temperatures in winter, though they need long, hot summers. Deep-rooted from an early age, they make better growth in the ground than in containers.

S. minor can be grown satisfactorily as a container plant, though it is not a very handsome subject. It is better used in massed plantings, where its coarse leaves create interesting textures. In frost-prone climates, grow in pots in a cool to intermediate green-house, using soil-based potting compost. Plants can be stood outside for the summer. Propagate in spring from seed germinated at 21°C (70°F).

Climate

Zone 9-10.