the genus
SABAL

The name was given by the French botanist, Michel Adanson (1727-1806) who did not state its origin, although it probably derives from a local Indian name.

Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Tribe:Corypheae
Subtribe: Sabalinae

Sabal is the only genus in the subtribe Sabalinae. This is a large genus of mostly hardy palms that includes 16 species bearing crowns of costapalmate (intermediate between fan-shaped and feather-shaped) leaves. The various species are native to the territories surrounding the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, northern Columbia, Venezuela, Trinidad, and the island of Bermuda). Most Sabal grow in seasonally dry forests or savannah vegetation, but some inhabit swampy wetlands or coastal sand dunes. Trunks are solitary, either straight or gracefully curved, and vary from subterranean on dwarf species to upright columns 40 feet tall or more. Many Sabal retain a geometric pattern formed by the neatly split leaf bases (“boots”) throughout life; others shed the boots entirely (or can be trimmed) to reveal the smooth, dark gray rings of the trunk. There are more than 10 different Sabal species, well suited for avenues, group plantings or any landscape purpose. Most of the species of Sabal offer excellent tolerance to cold and all are of great beauty. The Dwarf Palmetto of the southeastern United States (Sabal minor) is one of the very few palms capable of surviving temperatures as low as -40F (-200C).

Culture: Sabal palms accept sun or shade and will tolerate drought as well as severe flooding. The trees grow at a moderate pace and are generally cold hardy and adaptable.

Sabal bermudana
Common Name: Bermuda Palmetto
Cold Tolerance: 8F (-14C) USDA Zones: 8-11

Typical Height: 20' Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Habit: Solitary

Status: Some in Stock
Available Range: 3–25gal. B&B 2'–6'CT

Sabal etonia
Common Name: Florida Scrub Palmetto
Cold Tolerance: 8F (-14C) USDA Zones: 8-11

Typical Height: Trunkless Growth Rate: Very Slow
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock
Available Range: 1–15gal.

Sabal guatemalensis
Common Name: Maya Palm
Cold Tolerance: 8F (-14C) USDA Zones: 8-11

Typical Height: 40' Growth Rate: Slow
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock
Available Range: 200–300gal. B&B 4'–15'CT

Sabal mexicana
Synonyms: Sabal texana
Common Names: Texas Palmetto, Texas Sabal Palm, Mexican Palmetto,
Palma de Micharos
Cold Tolerance: 8F (-14C) USDA Zones: 8-11

Typical Height: 40' Growth Rate: Slow
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock
Available Range: 15–300gal. B&B 2'–12'CT

Sabal minor
Common Names: Dwarf Palmetto, Latanier
Cold Tolerance: 4F (-20C) USDA Zones: 7b-11

Typical Height: 1'-6' Growth Rate: Moderate
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock
Available Range: 3–45gal. 1 1/2'–5'OA

Sabal palmetto
Common Names: Cabbage Palm, Palmetto, Florida Sabal Palm
Cold Tolerance: 8F (-14C) USDA Zones: 8-11

Typical Height: 40' Growth Rate: Slow
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock - Also high bends, low bends, banana bends, ground runners and multi-trunked specimens.
Available Range: 15–300gal. B&B 3'–35'CT

Sabal uresana
Common Name: Sonoran Blue Palmetto
Cold Tolerance: 6F (-15C) USDA Zones: 7b-11

Typical Height: 30' Growth Rate: Moderate
Habit: Solitary

Status: Some in Stock
Available Range: 7–100gal.

Sabal x texensis
Common Name: Brazoria Palm, Sabal Lousiana
Cold Tolerance: 14F (-10C) USDA Zones: 8b-11

Typical Height: 25' Growth Rate: Moderate
Habit: Solitary

Status: In Stock
Available Range: 30–200gal. B&B 6"–4'CT

Other Species of Sabal:
S. causiarum (in stock),
S. domingensis, S. maritima, S. mauritiiformis, S. rosei, S. yapa
(all occasionally available)