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Sabal
palmetto |
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The Cabbage Palm, also known as the Sabal Palm, is a native of
Florida and is the Florida state tree. It is a medium-sized (30'-50') spineless
palm. It has an unbranching trunk and very large fan-shaped leaves that form a
circular crown. When the palm is young, the gray-brown trunk is rough and
covered with the bases of old leaf stalks, called "boots." These boots
usually fall off, revealing the trunk, as the tree matures. The yellowish white
flowers are in loose clusters up to 6' long. The fruits are spherical in shape,
about 1/2-inch in diameter, becoming black.
This palm occurs near the coast, from South Carolina to the Florida Keys,
including the coast of northwest Florida. It occurs along sandy coasts, as well
as inland. It can tolerate drought, standing water, and brackish water. Since it
is very salt tolerant, it can be grown on the beach or directly at the edge of
bays and inlets.
The above photos were taken in residential areas south of Punta Gorda in March,
2000.
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