Accession Count: 3
Common Name:
Mexican palmetto
Family Name:
Arecaceae
Botanical Name:
Sabal mexicana
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Compound:
Sab mex
Geographic Origin:
Mexican Tropics
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Mexican Palmetto is tree that is cultivated in many countries such as North America, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala (5,2,6). Native habitats where the Mexican Palmetto can be found along coasts on prairies, meadows, deserts, pastures and savannahs. (2) The Mexican Palmetto prefers moist soils, which is why they have difficulty growing inland. (4) There is not a wealth of knowledge on where the Mexican Palmetto was discovered, but it has been predicted that first discovery was in Central America. (1) Today the plant is relatively rare in the wild and is more commonly used as an ornamental plant (3).
Cultivation Notes:
Seeds of Sabal mexicana require moisture in the soil to grow the most effectively. (3) Sabal mexicana prefers humid areas, but it can grow in arid climates as long as the ground has enough moisture for the plants large root system (4). When the tree is a juvenile, it has a low cold tolerance, so it recommended to germinate the seed in a controlled climate and let the plant reach adolescence before transferring it to a natural climate. The Mexican Palmetto prefers sunny areas and areas with well-drained soil (3). The Mexican Palmetto should to be planted in the summer when the soil is warm to encourage strong root growth (1).
Ethnobotany:
The Sabal mexicana has a variety of uses to human and animal species. (1) The seeds are edible and are consumed by a variety of bird species. The canopy of the tree is also a haven for birds that often nest in the tree and use it as protection from predators. (6) The canopy also provides shade for animal species. The leaves of the tree can be used to make baskets, straw hats, fence posts, ect. (7) There is no known medicinal use for the plant. Humans also use the plant as an ornament in landscapes. (1)
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
