the
genus
SERENOA
In
honor of Sereno Watson, American botanist (1826-1892)
Subfamily:
Coryphoideae
Tribe:Corypheae
Subtribe:
Livistoninae
The
subfamily includes 12 genera such as Acoelorraphe,
Copernicia, Livistona,
Licuala, Pritchardia,
Brahea.
Serenoa
is a monotypic genus (with one species, Serenoa
repens) native to the southeastern United States
(Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana,
and South Carolina). S. repens
gives a distinctive appearance to landscapes in the
southeast United States, where it often dominates the
vegetation under longleaf pines, creating formidable
palmetto scrublands. With a useful shrubby habit and
dense form, S. repens is ideal
for hedges, barrier plantings, or seaside gardens, and
reliably hardy to 140F (-100C). The common green-leafed
Saw Palmetto has a lush brightness that adds a vivid
note under the dark, moss-hung canopies of live oaks.
The silver-leafed form of the species (sometimes called
“S. repens v. glauca”)
comes from Florida’s Atlantic coast and is sought
after by garden designers for its blue- white foliage,
ethereal in moonlight. Serenoa
produces tiny creamy flowers that emit an exotic fragrance
on summer nights, and later ripen to rounded fruits
prized as a natural medicinal thought to have anti-cancer
properties. Readily available are nursery propagated
S. repens in both green and
silver-gray variations suited for immediate use in hedges,
group plantings, or any landscape purpose.
Culture:
Serenoa succeed in full sun
or shade and tolerate heat and drought. Good drainage
is essential and the plants should be well rooted in
containers or thoroughly stabilized before planting.
Serenoa repens thrives on sandy soils with an acid pH;
silver forms of the species may be more tolerant of
alkaline soils. Young plants should be protected from
hard freezes.
Serenoa
repens
Common
Name: Saw Palmetto, Scrub Palmetto
Cold
Tolerance: 14F (-10C) As their branching stems
are
partly underground, Saw Palmettos defoliated by frigid
weather (50F or less) may survive and recover over several
seasons.
USDA Zones: 8-11
Typical
Height: 3'-6' Growth Rate:
Slow
Habit: Clumping
Status:
In Stock
Available Range: 15–100gal. 2'–6'OA
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