Native Plants
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Sabal mexicana
Sabal mexicana Mart.
Texas Palm, Texas Palmetto, Mexican Palm, Mexican Palmetto, Rio Grande Palmetto, Victoria Palmetto, Palma De Micharos, Apachite
Arecaceae (Palm Family)
Synonym(s): Inodes exul, Inodes texana, Sabal exul, Sabal texana
USDA Symbol: SAME8
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This is usually a stout tree to 50 ft. tall, with a trunk to almost 3 ft. in diameter. Large, blue-green, fan-shaped leaves, up to 3 ft. wide, are divided into many palmate segments. The leaf stalk is stout, equally or exceeding the leaf in length. Dark purple fruits hang in showy clusters.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 50 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: Along the Rio Grande River in south Texas, south to Central America. Possibly ranged as far north as San Antonio in historic times.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Very slow-growing, beautiful tree. The dark purple fruit is showy and attractive to wildlife. Difficult to transplant after it's a foot tall because of its large root system. The trunk doesn't begin to appear until the tree is at least 10 years old. Use this native palm to add a tropical look to your landscape.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Winter-hardy, Accent tree or shrubUse Wildlife: These trees are sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife.
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Fresh seeds require no pretreatment but germination will be better with stratification. Seeds require a moist, muddy seedbed.
Seed Treatment: Stratify 30 days at 38 degrees
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Sabal mexicana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Sabal mexicana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sabal mexicana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-02Research By: TWC Staff