|
As a symbol of Florida's beautiful coasts and native landscapes,
cabbage palm is Florida's official state tree. Cabbage palm,
or sabal palm, can be found in several Florida ecosystems, including
upland hardwoods, flatwoods, and tropical hammocks. Because it
tolerates high water tables, it can also grow well in swamps,
wet prairie, and coastal marshes. It may occur as single trees
or groves of palms and it is also frequently planted in urban
areas. On the coast, cabbage palm ranges from southeastern North
Carolina through South Carolina and Georgia to the Florida Keys.
It occurs only as far as northwestern Florida. Another native palm common to Florida and known for its medicinal therapy is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is usually a creeping, branching shrub differing from the slender tree form of cabbage palm. Saw palmetto also has leafstalks armed with small spines along the margins discontinuing at the base of the fan-shaped blades. Cabbage palm has smooth leafstalks that continue through the blade tips. Cabbage palm was used as logs for cabin walls and dock pilings. Seminole Indians made homes roofed with cabbage palm fronds. Baskets, mats, and hats were made from the leaves. Fiber for making brushes |
 |
|
|
comes from young leaf bases. The central bud and palm fronds
are gathered and sold to churches to make Palm Sunday crosses.
The tender portion of the central bud is also cut from the tree
and eaten raw or cooked for swamp cabbage or heart of palm salad.
Unfortunately, cutting the central bud also eliminates any further
growth of the tree. The most economical use for cabbage palm is as a landscaping tree. Cabbage palm is cultivated because it makes a great avenue tree for the streets of Florida. Full-grown trees are transplanted for landscaping. |
||
