Sabal palmetto

Common Name(s):

Cabbage palm

Categories:

Native Plants, Trees

Comment:

A native tree in the palm (Arecaceae) family. It is not hardy in piedmont or mountains but does well in the southeasten tip of NC's coastal plain.  It is found in maritime forests, marsh edges, and other near-coastal communities.  It  tolerates salt spray.

Regions: Coastal Plain

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Summer, July

Wildlife Value: Fruits are eaten by birds. This plant is seldom damaged by deer.

Compare this Plant to: Sabal minor

 

Height:

20-30 ft.

Foliage:

Palmate, fan shaped 5 ft. leaves on 2 to 7 ft. stems

Flower:

White, fragrant, 2' flower cluster in June; black fruit

Zones:

7b-10

Habit:

Evergreen

Site:

Sun to partial shade; range of soil types (wet, dry)

Texture:

Medium to coarse

Form:

Palm; columnar

Fruit:

Black

Width:

10-15 ft.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Leaf:

Palmate, fan shaped 5 ft. leaves on 2 to 7 ft. stems. Fronds of cabbage palmettos have a distinctive arch (unlike the smaller dwarf palmetto, Sabal minor).

Tags:

fruit, birds, fragrant, wildlife, salt tolerant, deer resistant, evergreen

NCCES plant id: 2187