Saw-palmetto: an Ecologically and
Economically Important Native Palm
by George Tanner, J. Jeffrey Mullahey, and David Maehr
IFAS Circular WEC-109
 Saw
palmetto (Serenoa repens), also known as palmetto, is endemic to the southeastern
United States, occuring as a major understory plant on poorly-drained, pine flatwoods, on
well-drained, scrubby flatwoods, and in sand pine (Pinus clausa) scrub. It
currently occurs in every county in Florida. Its disbribution becomes spotty in the
northern part of its range which extends from Charleston County, South Carolina to
southern Mississippi (Hilmon 1968). This low growing palm is recognized by the multiple,
persistent leaves, or fronds, that protrude from the terminal end of long, horizontal
stems that occur at, or just below, ground level. Sharp, spine-like projections often
exist along the edges of the compressed leaf petiole and give rise to the plant's common
name. The petiole terminates at the edge of the leaf blade, but does not protrude into the
leaf blade structure. Saw Palmetto UPCLOSE
|
Some of this
information can be obtained in IFAS Extension Circular 