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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Palm.

Physical Characteristics

Serenoa repens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Brahea serrulata. Chamaerops serrulata. Corypha obliqua. Serenoa serrulata

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[238]. A sweet flavour but with a soapy taste and a strong vanilla-like aroma[238]. Regular consumption of the fruit is supposed to be very beneficial to the health, improving the digestion and helping to increase weight and strength[238]. Seed - raw or cooked[238].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic Aphrodisiac Diuretic Expectorant Sedative Tonic Urinary Uterine tonic

Saw palmetto berries are a tonic herb that is used in the treatment of debility, urinary tract problems and for reducing enlarged prostate glands[254]. The partially dried ripe fruit is aphrodisiac, urinary antiseptic, diuretic, expectorant, sedative and tonic[4, 222]. It is taken internally in the treatment of impotence, debility in elderly men, prostate enlargement and inflammation, bronchial complaints associated with coldness, and wasting diseases[222, 238]. Saw palmetto is one of the few Western herbs that are considered to be anabolic (strengthening and building body tissue and encouraging weight gain)[254]. The fruit pulp, or a tincture, is given to those suffering from wasting disease, general debility and failure to thrive[254]. The fruit also has a beneficial effect on the urinary system, helping to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate gland and strengthening the neck of the bladder[254]. The fruit has a probable oestrogenic action, it is prescribed in the treatment of impotence, reduced or absent sex drive and testicular atrophy in men and to stimulate breast enlargement in women[254]. The fruit is also used in the treatment of colds, coughs, irritated mucous membranes, asthma etc[4, 222]. A suppository of the powdered fruits, in cocoa butter, has been used as a uterine and vaginal tonic[222]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Serenoa repens Saw Palmetto for prostatic complaints, irritable bladder (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry Brush String

The leaf stems have been used in making baskets[257]. The plant has been used to make brushes and cordage[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Requires a warm sunny position in a moist but well-drained soil[231]. Plants can succeed in quite dry soils so long as their roots can penetrate to underground water[231]. Growing mainly in coastal areas in its native range, this species is likely to be very tolerant of maritime exposure, though not of cold winds[K]. This species is one of the hardiest of palms and succeeds outdoors in warm temperate zones[200]. It is only likely to be marginally hardy, even in the mildest areas of Britain, and probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[K]. 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[231]. 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[231]. Palms 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[231]. Plants usually sucker freely in the wild and form dense thickets[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Attracts butterflies, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed is best sown in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. It usually germinates freely. Stored seed is more difficult to germinate, it should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing in a warm greenhouse. When 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. Although the plant forms suckers, these do not usually transplant well and so seed is the only sure method of propagation[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama (south), Florida, Georgia (southeast), Louisiana (southeast), South Carolina, Mississippi (south))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Serenoa repens - (W.Bartram.)Small.