Descriptive
Information
- Field
Marks: "Leaves
are fan shaped, deeply divided and conspicuously V-shaped; segments
are shiny green above, gray green below, with numerous threads suspended
from the segment margins; petioles smooth. Fruit is round and
black, borne in long, drooping clusters. The V-shaped leaf is
diagnostic for identification." Can reach heights of up to 80
feet. Trunk may be latticed
with old leaf stems or bare and light gray. Leaves
are costapalmate with folded linear segments tapering to end, capable
of spanning 6 feet. Commonly found in large clusters.
- Field
Observations: Located within the Mahogany Hammock, the
Sabal Palmetto is likely to be found alone. Its trunk is either covered
with old petioles
perpendicular to each other or bare. Bare trunks vary from a light
gray tan to a light brown, sometimes with patches of green from algae
growth. Petioles continue down the center of the costapalmate leaves.
- Size:
"Straight-trunked tree to about 18 m in height." Height
~20 feet Base Diameter ~12-16 inches Top Diameter ~ 6-8 inches Leaves:
Width ~ 4-6 feet Length ~ 3-5 feet Petiole ~ 4-7 feet
- General
Habitat: "Much of Florida is inhabited by this
palm. Light requirements are sun or shade. It is extremely
tolerant of varying soil conditions and is very tolerant of salt."
- Geographic
Range: "Native throughout the state".
- Ecosystems
Where Observed: Hardwood Hammocks, Flamingo Bay,
edge of Cypress Dome, Pinelands
- Other
Information: "Florida's state tree."
- References:
(Nelson, 1994, p.130)
- Alden, Peter; Cech, Rick; Nelson, Gil. National Audubon Society
Field Guide to Florida. Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York . Fifth
Edition, July 2003. P 106
- Stevenson, George B. Trees of Everglades National Park and the
Florida Keys. Florida National Parks & Monuments Association,
Inc. Homestead. 1992. P 7
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