Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Genus:
- Serenoa
- Species:
- Serenoa repens
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- White
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Batrachedra decoctor, Io moth (Automeris io), Melanocinclis vibex, palm leaf skeletonizer moth (Homaledra sabalella), Palmetto Borer Moth (Litoprosopus futilis), yellow horned (Atheloca subrufella), Palmetto Skipper (Euphyes arpa)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in pine flatwoods and coastal dunes
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days
Source: OpenAI GPT-4o