According to Floridata, the saw palmetto is a drought tolerant evergreen palm. Botanically known as Serenoa repens, it is part of the palm family of plants, and is the only member of the Serenoa genus. It is classified as a fan palm and is very hardy. For those looking for a tropical theme to their dry garden, this is definitely a good choice.
Saw Palmetto Description
Growing up to 4 to 6 feet tall, the saw palmetto has an impressive spread of 20 feet wide or more. It is a clump forming fan palm with palmate leaves that are green or a blue-green hue. Its trunk can be erect or arching. Leaves are long and have sawtooth edges. Each leaf has approximately 20 leaflets to it. There are some varieties with silver-blue leaves instead of green or blue-green. Fruits are black round berries that are an inch or so wide.
Growing Saw Palmetto
The saw palmetto is a hardy and easy to grow plant, preferring full sun and any type of soil. It tolerates drought and partial sun, however. Propagate the plant by seed in USDA hardiness zones of 8 through 10. It will not require much maintenance.
Serenoa repens Warnings
The leaves have sawtooth edges that can injure skin. Be careful planting around areas where children or pets play.
Saw Palmetto Medicinal Uses
The saw palmetto fruits, the berries, are now being used and tested for many male urinary ailments. A popular herbal remedy from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines, it is also used for BPH, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH is an enlarged prostate gland. Saw palmetto is said to help improve urinary symptoms by decreasing the urinary urgency and increasing urinary flow.
Saw Palmetto Wildlife Uses
The berries from the plant are a good source of food for small wildlife. The amount of fallen berries for wildlife has diminished as the popularity of the herbal remedy has increased. Many times there aren’t enough berries to go around.
Serenoa repens is a great drought tolerant palm that will work well in many applications. It has many uses in medicinal and wildlife fields, but gardeners will like its simple elegance and ease of growth.
For More Drought Tolerant Plants:
The Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, is a fast growing drought tolerant perennial vine that works well in a container. It is native to Madagascar, hence the name, but has naturalized into a very weedy wildflower. However, that fact does not negate its cuteness in the garden. In convoluted logic, it has toxic properties and has been used as a medicinal plant.
Formerly known as the Senecio confusus, the Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides, or Mexican flame vine, is a fast growing and easy to grow drought tolerant evergreen vine. It will attract butterflies to the landscape.
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
