Plant Identification Learning Module:
Ornamentals

Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)

A dense, erect, medium sized, single trunked palm with a tight rounded canopy. The leaves are green or gray green, with no spines or teeth on the petioles; they are fan-shaped, divided 1/3 of the way to the base, with long pointed, tapering segments which are split at the tips. Threads may be present. The trunks are often covered with old leaf bases called “boots.” The flower spikes are white and showy. The fruit is a globose, brown-black shiny drupe no more than 1/2 inch around.


Cabbage palm
UF/IFAS

Comparison of cabbage palm and saw palmetto foliage
UF/SFRC

Threads of cabbage palm
Cabbage palm flower
Photos by Dennis Girard

Cabbage palm boots
Cabbage palm fruit hanging from tree
Photos by David MacManus
© Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2008. USF Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants

Fruits of the cabbage palm
Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database