Description

The palmetto tree produces a single, unbranched trunk with a crown of fan-shaped leaves with deep indentations. Each leaf can be up to 6 feet in diameter with a 6-foot petiole or leaf stalk. Old leaves may stay attached to the trunk or fall off to reveal a gray trunk that becomes smooth with age. The small, creamy flowers come on a flower spike up to 5 feet long and are followed by shiny, green fruits about 1/3 inch in diameter.

Habitat

Palmetto trees grow along the coast in sandy and estuary areas, as well as further inland. They are highly resistant to salty water and salt spray and thrive close to the sea. Palmetto trees are also able to withstand hurricane-strength winds and even light frosts.

Cultivation

Palmetto trees are low maintenance plants that require little or no supplemental water and fertilizer, although their growth rate increases if they are provided with water during the summer and fertilized with slow-release fertilizer. They are not fussy about soil type and can be grown easily from seed sown in moist potting compost. Large examples are harvested from their natural habitat and transplanted because seed-grown trees can take 10 years to develop a trunk.

Uses

Palmetto trees are widely grown as ornamental street trees and garden specimens in areas with a suitable climate.The palmetto tree is known as the cabbage palm because the growing bud is edible and said to taste similar to cabbage. Removal of a palmetto tree bud kills the whole tree. Young palmetto leaves are harvested and dried and used during Palm Sunday festivals.