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. This plant is highly salt tolerant.
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).
NCCES plant id: 2187

