trade
search plant database and seed store
Plant Informational Database

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

a.k.a. Sabal serrulatum

A very small type of fan palm, protected in the wild, now famous for extracts from its fruits which are used in treatments of prostate and urinary problems.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

A very slow growing and very short palm, growing to 10-12ft, but often not exceeding 2-4ft. Part of the fan palm group, it has fan-shaped leaves composed of up to 20 leaflets. The common saw palmetto has green leaves but there are some silvery-green leaved types as well. Saw Palmetto's are also long-lived with many wild specimens believed to be well over 500 years old.

Hardiness

Hardy to short frosts. Should survive to the low 20's (F).

Growing Environment

Grow in full sun and in well-drained soil. Water regularly. Plants stand salty conditions fairly well. Very slow-growing, makes an excellent container specimen.

Propagation

By seeds, which should be soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting. Seeds germinate slowly and may take several weeks or months to sprout.

Uses

Grown as an ornamental for its fan-shaped leaves. The fruits were once an important food source for local inhabitants. Today the fruits are used to prepare extracts which reportedly help in the treatment of some prostate and urinary problems. There are also a variety of other medicinal applications for the fruits which are under investigation, such as anabolic use, anti-impotence as an oestrogenic agent.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States, from Florida north to South Carolina and parts of Southern Arkansas.

Related Species

Arecaceae  
Aiphanes aculeata
Coyupe Palm
Areca catechu
Betel Nut
Arenga engleri
Dwarf Sugar Palm
Astrocaryum vulgare
Tucuma Palm
Bactris maraja
Maraja Palm
Brahea armata
Mexican Blue Palm
Brahea edulis
Guadalupe Palm
Butia capitata
Jelly Palm
Butia eriospatha
Wooly Jelly Palm
Butia purpurascens
Purple Yatay Palm
Butia yatay
Yatay Palm
Caryota urens
Wine Palm
Cocos nucifera
Coconut
Cyrtostachys renda
Sealing Wax Palm
Dypsis decaryi
Triangle Palm
Euterpe edulis
Jussara Palm
Euterpe oleracea
Acai Palm
Euterpe precatoria
Forest Acai
Jubaea chilensis
Chilean Wine Palm
Licuala grandis
Vanuatu Fan Palm
Lodoicea maldivica
Coco de Mer
Mauritia flexuosa
Moriche Palm
Serenoa repens
Saw Palmetto
Syagrus oleracea
Bitter Coconut
Syagrus romanzoffianum
Queen Palm
Syagrus vagans
Wandering Palm