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Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens

Go to - Landscape Trees
Landscape Shrubs

Family - Arecaceae

Native palm, long lived & slow growing. Two varieties of Saw Palmetto occur in South Florida, the more common has yellowish-green foliage and is found statewide. The other, with silver blue-green foliage, is found near the coast on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in deep, well drained, white sandy soil.

Saw Palmetto leaves, average 3 ft. in length & grow from prostrate horizontal stems and rhizomes, sometimes the stems will grow upright in a more tree-like form.

Leaf petioles (stems) are edged with sharp, re-curving spines resembling saw teeth which give this palm it's common name. Overall height is variable dependant on growing conditions, 2 to 10 feet as a shrub, in an upright form Saw palmetto can attain tree like heights of 20 feet.

Saw Palmetto's fragrant flower is yellowish-white on many branched inflorescences 2 feet or more in length from spring through summer.

Fruit is a deep purple/black when mature and provides food for many animals including Whitetail deer, Black bear, feral pigs and Gopher tortoise.

Landscape uses - Used as an accent or under planting to larger palms or pines, as a specimen or in border/buffer zone plantings. Saw Palmetto works well as a screen.

U.S.D.A. Zones 8 - 10. Propagation by seed, best grown in full sun to light shade. Drought & salt tolerant. Saw Palmetto is virtually maintenance free once it's well established.

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