Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto, aka Serenoa repens is a type of fan palm that usually grows together in clumps and is mainly found in sprawling clusters in south Florida’s natural areas, however, it is also a valuable plant for home landscape throughout the state. Saw Palmetto a native hardy plant; extremely slow-growing palm trees, and grown mostly as clumping shrubs in naturalistic landscapes.
The fan-shaped leaves of this evergreen shrub grow 5 to 10 feet tall and spread 4 to 10 feet wide, armed with fine, sharp teeth or spines that give the species its common name. The beautiful blue or green colored leaves are shiny and waxy, growing about five feet long and are cone-shaped at the top, and are covered by a thick protective bark. The flower stalk grows 3 feet long and appears in the heat of the summer, covered with white fragrant flowers that form blue fruit one inch in diameter. Fruits are green or yellow before ripening but become bluish or black as it matures. It is an important food source for wildlife, as berries are an important food source for many mammals and birds.
The Saw Palmetto palm tree grows low to the ground, making it an excellent choice as an indoor potted palm. The Saw Palmetto Palm will give your landscape a beautiful tropical look without creating a mess of leaves.
Saw palmetto like full sun but will flourish in almost any light conditions, and will benefit from regular watering at first, but will be very drought tolerant once established.
