Common Name: Bush Palmetto

General Information

Sabal minor is usually a small, evergreen palm with a subterranean stem; however, one can find individuals with larger features and well-developed aerial stems. In Louisiana, these individuals were recognized as separate species, but more recently they have been treated as merely ecological variants of a single widespread species[]. Large emergent forms of Sabal minor were even thought to be hybrids of that species with Sabal palmetto, but this claim is undocumented and unsubstantiated[].
The plant has a wide range of uses, providing food, medicines and a range of materials for the local people.
Sabal minor has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

South-eastern N. America - North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, northeast Mexico

Habitat

An understorey shrub, growing in the rich, alluvial soils of broad-leaved, mainly deciduous woodlands in low-lying river terrace areas and other sites where water at the roots is readily available[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sabal minor is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zones. This species succeeds in moist tropical climates with an annual rainfall of 1,500mm or more[]. It tolerates short-lived freezes down to about -10°c[].
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[, , ]. Although it prefers a humid atmosphere, this species is tolerant of arid atmospheres so long as it has plenty of moisture available at the roots[]. Plants can tolerate at least some maritime exposure with salt spray and somewhat saline soil conditions[].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. This species can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[].
Of prolific growth and vigour in its native environment, this species has proved to be difficult to establish and slow to grow in cultivation[]. Small plants are especially slow to get away and are best container-grown until of a good size[].

Edible Uses

Fresh root slices have been baked and eaten as bread[].

The pith of the stem is edible[].

The fruit is a small dry berry up to 10mm in diameter, with a thin sweet flesh[].

Although we have seen no other records of edibility for this species, the following uses are for the related Sabal palmetto. They quite probably also apply here[].

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Sweet and pleasant[]. A small dry berry up to 12mm in diameter, with a thin sweet flesh[]. A nourishing food, though it is said to be an acquired taste[].

Young leaves - raw or cooked[]. An excellent food[]. The large succulent leaf buds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

Sap - sweet[].

Medicinal

The crushed, small root juice has been rubbed into sore eyes as a counterirritant[].
A decoction of the dried root has been taken in the treatment of high blood pressure and kidney problems[].

Other Uses

The dried leaves are used occasionally for the thatched roofs of huts[].

The following reports are for Sabl palmetto. They quite probably also apply to this species[].

An excellent fibre is obtained from the leaf stalks[]. The best quality is from young leaf stalks still in the bud, whilst coarser material is obtained from older leaves or the bases of old leaf stalks surrounding the bud[]. The fibres are up to 50cm long, they are harvested commercially and used to make brushes, especially where these have to remain stiff in hot water or caustics[, ].

Pieces of the spongy bark of the stem are used as a substitute for scrubbing brushes[].

The leaves are woven to make coarse hats, mats and baskets[].

The roots contain about 10% tannin[]. This has been harvested commercially in the past but there is not really enough tannin for profitable extraction[].

Wood - light and soft[]. The trunks are used to make wharf piles, whilst polished cross-sections of the trunk have been used as small table tops[]. The wood is also largely manufactured into canes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[]. Stored seed is very slow to germinate. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing may shorten the germination time. Plants form a long tap-root some time before forming a shoot. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.