Dwarf Palmetto, Scrub Palmetto
Sabal minor

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A small palm. The trunk is underground. Some plants can have a trunk 1-2 m high. The trunk can be 25-30 cm across. The leaf stalk extends into the blade. The leaf stalk is strong and the leaves are held upright. The leaf blade may be split into 2 halves. The leaves are blue green. The flowering bunch is also upright but arches over and extends beyond the leaves. The flowers are small and white and have a scent. The fruit are about 1 cm across. They are black when ripe.

There are 16 Sabal species. They can hybridise with each other.

Where it is found

It will grow from the tropics to the temperate zones. It can stand very low temperatures. It grows in swamps in the Southern USA. It grows in undergrowth in evergreen and deciduous forests at low elevations. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Guam, India, Indonesia, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Singapore, USA (country/location of origin), Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The starch of the trunk can be used for sago. The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw or made into syrup. It is also dried and made into bread. The terminal bud or cabbage is eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, root, sap, palm hearts, starch

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

It grows very slowly in temperate countries. Plants usually flower while quite young.

Its other names

Local names

Blue Palmetto, Bush palmetto, Lanatier, Palem sabal mini, Swamp Palmetto

Synonyms

Brahea minima (Nutt.) Persoon; Chamaerops acaulis F. Michx.; Chamaerops lousiana Darby; Chamaerops sabaloides Baldwin ex W. Darlington; Corypha minor N. J. Jacquin; Corypha pumila Walt.; Sabal adansonii Guersent; Sabal adansonii var. major hort. ex Becc.; Sabal deeringiana Small; Sabal glabra; Sabal lousiana (Darby)Bomhard; Sabal minima Nutt.; Sabal pumila (Walt.)Elliot; Rhapis acaulis Walter ex Willd.; Rhapis arundinacea Aiton;