Pronunciation: suh-BALL/SAY-bull mex-ih-CAN-uh Common Name: Texas Palmetto; Oaxacan Palmetto
Sabal mexicana is a moderately common species in California and Texas that is a fairly 'typical' looking Sabal palm with a large head of costapalmate leaves and a typical trunk. It is a bit less immense than the largest species of this genus, but a very reliable grower in many areas of California and a worthy landscape specimen. For some reason, this is one of the more commonly grown Sabals in the tropics.
Synonym: Sabal texana; Sabal guatamalensis
Appearance and Biology
Habit: solitary with a crown of 15-25 costapalmate leaves
Height: 40'
Trunk: single; 12" thick; grey and very closely, subtly ringed
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 14'
Leaf Description: markedly costapalmate; 6'-7' long; medium green to bluish green; leaflets have some droop to them; leaves divided 1/2 to 2/3 length; sometimes with a short skirt of dead leaves below crown
Petiole/Leaf bases: 3'-4' long; unarmed; channeled; light green
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 3' long; within leaves; pale yellow flowers
Fruit: ovoid; 1/2-3/4"" long; dark brown when ripe
Horticultural Characteristics
Minimum Temp: 18F
Drought Tolerance: good
Dry Heat Tolerance: good
Cool Tolerance: good
Wind Tolerance: good
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow to moderate
Soil Preference: adaptable
Light Requirement: partial to full sun
Human Hazards: moderately sharp petioles
Disease or Horticultural Problems: mild nutritional problems in some California soils
