I would appreciate it if someone could give me a positive ID on this palm. I was thinking possibly a small Sabal but I do not think that is correct. Also, any idea why the tips are browning? The soil had been a little dry so I was wondering if that was what caused it. Can I just prune the dead tips or will this just cause further damage? Thanks! -Robert
It is not Sabal palmetto (Sabal palm, cabbage palm) and does not appear to be Serenoa repens (saw palmetto). Are the petioles toothed or spiny? They look like they are. That would lead me to Serenoa repens but the leaves just look too small, even for a young container grown saw palmetto. The leaf tips indicate lack of water, which I suppose could also make the leaves smaller. You can trim just short of the green on them. If you trim into the green, that edge will probably turn brown or gray in time.
ThanRose, Thanks for the help. I do think it may be a Saw Palmetto. The stems(?) are indeed spiny and sharp. I was looking at quite a few pics of Saw Palmetto and you have a great point regarding the size of the leaves. Also, in so many of the pics I see all the leaves are very vertical but mine have quite a few horizontals. I am wondering if these will actually "perk up" to vertical once planted and settled in. I am going to assume it is a Saw Palmetto for now unless I am told, or can determine, otherwise. Thanks again for the help with this and for the info on the leaf tips. Regards, -Robert
The leaves are not likely to become more upright. At this stage of maturity in each palm leaf, they are not reflecting poor growing conditions with the arching habit. That is what palm fronds of this sort do. When they are very young or new leaves, the spear of tightly folded new growth will be pretty much upright even on a sprawling Serenoa repens. Then as the fan opens up, it will at first be upright, then arching as the particular frond matures. The oldest fans or fronds or leaves will sweep the ground. In strictly maintained landscapes with a lot of pruning, you won't see the old fronds or the ones sweeping the ground because they get messy. Serenoa repens in the wild shelters a lot of rodents and reptiles as well as insects. Golf courses and planned communities don't want the wildlife. You'll also note that they trim off the fruits. Disregarding any medicinal qualities attributed to saw palmetto berries, they are tarry black and olive looking when mature, and have a moderately offensive smell and taste. Some of the descriptions of them are amusing. I happen to like wild looking things and the life they harbor, but you probably need to know what to expect with this one. I'd give it a ten foot diameter space if you are going to let it grow to usual dimensions.
