Silver saw palmetto
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in low-lying areas occasionally flooded by fresh or brackish water. It grows at low elevations. It can grow in sun or shade. It can tolerate drought. It can tolerate salt. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Caribbean, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, Panama, SE Asia, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds need to be sown fresh. The plant can be grown by dividing the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Botan palm, Chi-it, Everglades palm, Guano prieto, Hairy tom, Honduras pimenta, Palem geraji perak, Palma de pantano, Papta, Paurotis palm, Pimento palm, Prementa, Saw-cabbage-palm, Saw paurotis, Spanish top palm, Taciste, Tasiste

Synonyms

Acanthosabal caespitosa Prosch.; Acoelorrhaphe arborescens (Sarg.) Becc. ; Acoelorrhaphe pinetorum Bartlett; Acoelorrhaphe wrightii var. novogeronensis Becc. ; Brahea psilocalyx Burrett; Copernicia wrightii Griseb. & H.Wendl.; Paurotis androsana O.F.Cook; Paurotis arborescens (Sarg.) O.F.Cook; Paurotis psilocalyx (Burret) Lundell; Paurotis schippii Burret; Paurotis wrightii (Griseb. & H.Wendl.) Britton; Senenoa arborescens Sarg.;