| Description |
Serenoa repens Silver form is another under used native palm. Well known in the medical field for the properties it offers in fighting disease and the use of it fronds for crafters for making palmetto hats and other woven crafts. This species is very similar to the dwarf palmetto at first glance, but with minimal observation you will notice Serenoas more stately appearance and habit. Its fronds are more upright, compact and rigid, and the petioles are armed with small sharp teeth (serrated) so to resemble a saw, hence the common name Saw Palmetto. It normally produces 4'High trunks, but can grow and reach up to 6+'High with shade and warm climates. In cooler zones such 7b, where we are, the Serenoa repens rarely develops a sizable trunk or 3'. Planted on the southern exposure against a structure or forest, probably best grown as an under story plant in a forest to give it the best chance for success in cooler climates. This silver Saw Palmetto has a much more restricted range. Its greatest population is along the east coast of Florida, the green form is distributed over a much more extensive range from South Carolina to Texas. As one leaves from Florida the less frequent the Green form becomes.
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