Serenoa repens (Bartram) Small. Common name: Saw Palmetto. Phenology: May-Jul; Oct-Nov. Habitat: Pine flatwoods, maritime forests, dunes, pine rocklands, and Florida dry prairie, xeric longleaf pine sandhills, scrubby pine flatwoods, and Florida scrub. Also used horticulturally, especially the gray (blue) forms. Distribution: Se. SC (in maritime forests in Charleston and Colleton counties, and in spodosolic flatwoods in Beaufort and Jasper counties) south to s. FL and west to e. LA.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: The species has variation in leaf color caused by differences in epicuticular waxiness, with green and gray (blue) forms. The gray forms are often found on coastal dunes. Plants with upright trunks were the basis for Serenoa arborescens, which seems to be only an atypical growth form not warranting taxonomic recognition.
Other Comments: Serenoa forms extensive clonal patches, connected by underground rhizomes, and is a dominant plant in many parts of FL, in pine flatwoods, sandhills, or scrub. It is geoxylic, and resprouts rapidly after fire. The fruit are purported to promote human prostate health.
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA22, GW1, RAB, S, WH3, Zona (1997); > Serenoa arborescens Sarg. — S13; > Serenoa serrulata (Michx.) Hook.f. — S13; Corypha repens W. Bartram — (basionym)
Links to other floras: = Serenoa repens - FNA22
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro | Stems | Leaves | Inforescence | Flowers | Fruits | Comments | Height | plant sale text | bloom table text | description | stems | leaves | inflorescence | flowers | fruits | comments | cultural notes | germination code | native range |
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southeastern United States |
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