Mexican Palmetto
Sabal mexicana

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A large palm. The trunk is 15-20 m high and 35-60 cm across. The trunk is grey and covered with old leaf bases. The leaves are big and fan shaped. They are greyish-green and 2-3 m long. The leaf stalk runs into the leaf blade. The leaf stalks are stiff and 1-1.5 m long. The leaves are divided for about 3/4 of their length into numerous segments which droop. The flower stalks grow among the leaves. The flowers are white. The fruit occur in large clusters and have small dark black fruit. These are 1.5 cm long.

There are 16 Sabal species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will grow in tropical and temperate regions. It is common in the lowland vegetation of Mexico. It grows near sea level. A very hardy palm. It thrives in hot dry climates. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Belize, Central America (country/location of origin), El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, SE Asia, USA (Texas)

How it is used for food

The palm heart is eaten. It is dried and pounded into a meal. The fruit is eaten. It only has a small amount of pulp.

They are cultivated for thatch in Yucatan in Mexico.

Edible parts

Palm heart, cabbage, fruit

How it is grown

The plant is grown from seed. The seed are small and round and sprout easily.

The young plants grow quite quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Aptas, Bon xa'an, Guano bon, Jippi Jappa, Palmareal, Palma redonda, Rio Grande Palmetto, Texas Palmetto, Oaxaca palmetto, Palem sabal texas, Palma apachite, Palma de micharo, Palma real

Synonyms

Inodes exul O.F. Cook; Inodes mexicana (Mart.) Standl.; Inodes texana O.F. Cook; Sabal exul (O.F.Cook) L.H. Bailey; Sabal texana (O.F. Cook) Becc.;