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Characteristics
 Family-
Arecaceae--The Palm Family
- Origin
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Native NC
- Plant Description
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Evergreen tree
- Coastal Ecology
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Sabal palmetto is the Cabbage palm. Sabal palmetto is the only tree-form palm native to North Carolina. It is native only to the southern most barrier island, Bald Head Island, then farther south into Florida and the Gulf Coast states. In coastal areas it is found growing alone on the frontal dunes, in the evergreen oak maritime forest of the dunes, in thin loblolly pine woods, along the edge of salt water marshes and along roadsides and disturbed areas, as well as planted in landscapes. Palms are uniquely adapted to the coastal environment. Their flexible trunks and shredded, divided leaves bend and "give" but do not break in hurricanes; they are very tolerant of salt spray, and their root system is efficient at extracting water from dry, sandy soils. Cabbage palm can survive as far north as Cape Hatteras, but the ocean currents which transport the palm fruits, seen here, only bring them as far north as Bald Head Island; hence it is the northernmost natural limit to their range.
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