Plants of the UNF Campus
Sabal palmetto - Cabbage palm
Family Arecaceae
Description:
About fifteen species of Sabal
range from the southeastern U.S.
into northern South America and the Caribbean. The cabbage palm is Florida’s state tree. Wild populations of
cabbage palm extend along the coast from southern North Carolina into Cuba.
Typically, it has a single trunk although injuries to the growing point may
cause branching. The youngest leaves and bud are sometimes eaten as palm
cabbage or heart-of-palm, although the harvest of this bud kills the palm. The
trunks have been used as construction timbers. The leaves were used for weaving
and as a roof thatch by indigenous peoples of the southeastern U.S. The small
black fruits are valuable as wildlife food.
Location:
This plant can be seen on the west side of building 45, the north side of building 39 and in natural areas around campus.
Size:
At fifty feet or more in height, it is the tallest of north Florida’s native palms (royal palm in the south is taller.)
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun
Water: drought tolerant when established, responds well to irrigation
Soil: adaptable, no special requirements
Other – this plant is often over-pruned, removing green
leaves is unnecessary and can be harmful to the plant
This native plant is commonly found in moist sites but is
adaptable to drier sites in cultivation. Grow it in a sunny spot where the soil
is not excessively dry, such as a sand ridge.
Sabal palmetto
Cabbage palm
Arecaceae
About fifteen species of Sabal
range from the southeastern U.S.
into northern South America and the Caribbean. The cabbage palm is Florida’s state tree. Wild populations of
cabbage palm extend along the coast from southern North Carolina into Cuba.
Typically, it has a single trunk although injuries to the growing point may
cause branching. The youngest leaves and bud are sometimes eaten as palm
cabbage or heart-of-palm, although the harvest of this bud kills the palm. The
trunks have been used as construction timbers. The leaves were used for weaving
and as a roof thatch by indigenous peoples of the southeastern U.S. The small
black fruits are valuable as wildlife food.
Sabal_palmetto.jpg
This plant can be seen on the west side of building 45, the north side of building 39 and in natural areas around campus.
At fifty feet or more in height, it is the tallest of north Florida’s native palms (royal palm in the south is taller.)
full sun
drought tolerant when established, responds well to irrigation
adaptable, no special requirements
Other – this plant is often over-pruned, removing green
leaves is unnecessary and can be harmful to the plant
This native plant is commonly found in moist sites but is
adaptable to drier sites in cultivation. Grow it in a sunny spot where the soil
is not excessively dry, such as a sand ridge.
