World Plants

Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto)

Family	Arecaceae
Genus	Serenoa
Species	repens
Category	Tropicals
Type	Tree (evergreen)
Origin	Southeast United States of America.

USDA Hardiness Zone	8b-11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	Requires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H1c-H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-12.2-10
Temperature (°F)	10-50
Height	1.5 - 3.0 m
Spread	1.2 - 3.0 m
Growth	Slow
Flowering Period	April, May, June

General Description	A low, clumping, bushy palm has large, fan-shaped leaves and multiple trunks that creep along the ground, creating a dense ground cover.
ID Characteristic	Saw palmetto is an extremely sturdy palm
Landscape	Mass planting, specimen, border and ground cover.
Cultivation	Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun to shade. Plant is highly salt tolerant.
Notable Specimens	Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, United States of America.
Bark/Stem Description	Showy, typically multi-trunked or clumping stems.
Leaf Description	Leaf blade length is more than one metre, silver to grey, blue or blue-green leaves.
Flower Description	1 m flower stalks appear in spring, covered with small, yellow to white, fragrant flowers, the source of a commercial high-grade honey.
Fruit Description	Not showy, oval, less than 2 cm long, yellow berries that turn black. Berries are an important food source for many mammals and birds.

Serenoa repens, form, Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.

Serenoa repens, leaf, Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.

Serenoa repens, form. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida, United States of America.