Sabal Species, Miami Palmetto, Scrub Palmetto

Surprisingly more cold hardy than I expected. Native to the Southeastern most part of the US. Very similar to Sabal Minor (dwarf palmett...Read Moreo) but prefers a drier site. So far I have had success with Sabal Etonia here in Eastern Maryland (zone 7) with temperatures below 10F on a few occasions and no damage. The overall appearance is very similar to a Sabal Palmetto (cabbage palm) without a trunk, and greener than Sabal Minor. Like most Sabals, its very sensitive to being transplanted so its best to leave it alone if possible. Overall, this is a palm that is often overlooked since many believe its not as attractive as other palms, but its still worth a try since like most Sabals, its a fairly low maintenance plant, has good cold tolerance, and is heat and drought tolerant as well.

Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia) is native and endemic to the dry sandy sites and Florida Scrub habitats of much of north-central and centra...Read Morel Florida and parts of southeastern Florida (zones 8b to 10b). It is often confused with the more widespread and also native Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens). However, Scrub Palmetto generally is shorter than the Saw Palmetto. Also, the fronds of the Scrub Palmetto generally do not have as sharp spines as the Saw Palmetto or may not have any spines at all. The flower stalk of Sabal etonia (Scrub Palmetto) also does not extend as much as Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto).

Like Saw Palmetto, Scrub Palmetto is useful for wildlife.

THis native Florida palm is usually stemless and has markedly costapalmate leaves that are often a light green. This palm is often confu...Read Moresed with Sabal minor, which is the other stemless palm (both can have stems up to 6' tall), but that palm has flat palmate leaves, is more blue-greenish and that palm has flowers that extend way beyond the leaf length. Sabal etonia's flowers are usually as short, or shorter than the leaves and usually sit on the ground. It can also be confused with Sabal palmetoo seedlings, but those don't flower as a trunkless palm and usually have darker green leaves.