Dwarf Palmetto Sabal minor

Other Common Name(s):

Swamp Palmetto

Description

Sabal minor, commonly known as the dwarf palmetto, is a small species of palm growing 2'-7' in height. It is native to the deep southeastern and south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. It is naturally found in a diversity of habitats, including maritime forests, swamps, floodplains, and occasionally on drier sites. It is drought tolerant has a slow growth rate and a moderate salt tolerance. This plant is seldom damaged by deer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.

Attributes:
Genus:

Sabal

Species:

minor

Family:

Arecaceae

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Country Or Region Of Origin:

S. Oklahoma to SE. U.S.A., Mexico

Wildlife Value:

Fruits are eaten by robins, raccoons, and many other birds and mammals.

Dimensions:

Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.

Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Native Plant

Shrub

Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Habit/Form:

Erect

Growth Rate:

Slow

Maintenance:

Low

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil pH:

Alkaline (>8.0)

Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Soil Drainage:

Frequent Standing Water

Moist

Occasionally Wet

Available Space To Plant:

3 feet-6 feet

6-feet-12 feet

Fruit:
Fruit Color:

Black

Fruit Value To Gardener:

Showy

Fruit Type:

Drupe

Fruit Length:

< 1 inch

Fruit Width:

< 1 inch

Fruit Description:

Round <.5 inch fleshy shiny black drupe with one seed

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Blue

White

Flower Inflorescence:

Panicle

Flower Value To Gardener:

Showy

Flower Bloom Time:

Summer

Flower Size:

> 6 inches

Flower Description:

June-July yellow-white to blue compound panicles up to 6' long

Leaves:
Leaf Characteristics:

Broadleaf Evergreen

Leaf Color:

Blue

Green

Leaf Value To Gardener:

Showy

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Palmasect

Leaf Margin:

Lobed

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

> 6 inches

Leaf Width:

> 6 inches

Leaf Description:

Alternate fan-shaped simple deeply divided lobed suborbicular palmate leaf 1'-5' tall and wide and attractive in the winter. Petioles are smooth and long.

Bark:
Bark Description:

The trunk of this plant is partially subterranean.

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Small Space

Landscape Theme:

Drought Tolerant Garden

Winter Garden

Attracts:

Small Mammals

Songbirds

Resistance To Challenges:

Deer

Drought

Salt