NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Sabal minor
Dwarf Palmetto, Blue Stem Palmetto
Scientific Name: |
Sabal minor |
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Genus: |
Sabal minor |
Species Epithet: |
Sabal minor |
Common Name: |
Dwarf Palmetto, Blue Stem Palmetto |
Plant Type |
Tree/Shrub |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Arecaceae (Palm Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Size: |
3-6 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
May, June, July |
Growing Area: |
Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Swamps, maritime forests, low moist woods, especially in calcareous soils developed from shell limestone (marl), rarely planted as an ornamental farther inland, where persisting (and appearing native) or possibly naturalizing. Common in NC Coastal Plain, rare as naturalized plant in Piedmont. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Basal |
Leaf Retention: |
Evergreen |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Compound |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Recommended and Available |
Notes: |
This is our northern-most native palm, reaching Currituck Co. Fruits are eaten by robins, raccoons, and many other birds and mammals. |
In its habitat Dwarf Palmetto grows in low wet woods, swamp, and maritime forest, especially over calcareous soils. This is our northern-most native palm, reaching Currituck Co. Jack Spruill, Hampstead, May 21, 2009 |
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Close-up of leaves Jack Spruill, May 25, 2009 |
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In bloom The fruit is eaten by small mammals and birds. Jack Spruill, May 26, 2009 |
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Fruit David Paynter, Wilmington, July 19, 2014 |
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Close-up of leaf with insect nest. The leaf segments do not have filamentous margins as does S. palmetto which a young specimen may be confused with. New Hanover County, NC Bettina Darveaux |
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