Sabal pumos

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

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Pronunciation: sah-BALL/SAY-bull POO-moe-ss


Common Name: Royal Palmetto

Sabal pumos is a fairly rare Mexican species of Sabal with a thinner than average trunk for a Sabal, but otherwise is fairly typical. There is little data on its cold hardiness, but it seems to be a fairly durable palm so far.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-14 costapalmate leaves
  • Height: 30' estimate
  • Trunk: single; 8" thick; often covered with split leaf bases, which remain green for several years
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 10'-12'
  • Leaf Description: markedly costapalmate; 8' long; bright to lime green; leaf blades split 2/3 of their length; some drooping of leaflets near tips;
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 4' long; unarmed but sharp-edged; split green leaf bases remain on trunk for years
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: 4' long; branched; from within leaves; upright
  • Fruit:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 25F estimate
  • Drought Tolerance: moderate
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: good
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: moderate
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: partial to full sun
  • Human Hazards: sharp petioles
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none known
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: very rare