NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Sabal palmetto
Cabbage Palmetto
Scientific Name: |
Sabal palmetto |
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Genus: |
Sabal |
Species Epithet: |
palmetto |
Common Name: |
Cabbage Palmetto |
Plant Type |
Tree |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Arecaceae (Palm Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Size: |
12-36 ft., 36-72 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White, Yellow |
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: |
July |
Growing Area: |
Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
Maritime forests, marsh edges, and other near-coastal communities. Rare in NC Coastal Plainl. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Evergreen |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Recommended and Available |
State Rank: |
S1: Critically imperiled (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
State Status: |
T: Threatened (*Key) |
Notes: |
Fruits eaten by birds. |
Habitat Cabbage Palmetto extends into North Carolina only at the southeastern tip, in Brunswick Co. It is common in the maritime forests of the Smith Island complex (Bald Head Island, Middle Island, Bluff Island). It also grows on the edges of marshes and is widely planted. In this photo, the cabbage palmetto is surrounded by dwarf palmettos (Sabal minor). Paynter, Donnelly Wildlife Management Area, SC. March, 2013 |
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Frond The fronds of cabbage palmettos have a distinctive arch (unlike the smaller dwarf palmetto, Sabal minor) and can be up to 3' across. |
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Close-up of filaments and rib The filaments and the long, triangular rib are good identification marks to differentiate cabbage palmetto from dwarf palmetto. |
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Trunk Beneath the fronds, the old leaf bases make a crisscross pattern on the upper trunk. There is no true bark. |
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