Sabal etonia

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: suh-BALL/SAY-bull ee-TONE-ee-uh


Common Name: Scrub Palmetto

Sabal etonia is one of two dwarf Sabal species native to Florida (the other is Sabal minor, which is a broader range). This palm rarely shows any trunk and is basically a trunkless shrub. It has moderately costapalmate leaves and flowers that rarely extend beyond the leaves, which are the two characteristics which help differentiate this species from the far more commonly grown Sabal minor. Sabal minor also eventually develops a pretty beefy though short trunk.

Synonym: Sabal miamiensis

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: single, stemless with a crown of 8-12 costapalmate leaves
  • Height: 3'-5' tall overall (no trunk)
  • Trunk: none
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 6'-7'
  • Leaf Description: mildly to moderately costapalmate; dull to deep green; about 4' long; leaf blades split about 1/2 their length
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 2' long; unarmed; moderate sharp blades; channeled
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: shorter than leaves; from within leaves; moderate branched; flowers white-cream
  • Fruit:spherical; 1/2" in diameter; black when ripe
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 22F
  • Drought Tolerance: good
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: very good
  • Cool Tolerance: good
  • Wind Tolerance: very good
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: slow
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: partial to full sun
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: rare

  • young palm in San Fernando Valley, Southern California

  • older Riverside palm, California

  • Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Miami, Florida

  • young palm identified as synonym, Sabal miamiensis

  • Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida

  • flowers

  • fruits

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