Sabal Palm ID (Butia Fronds on a Sabal?!?)

[Dwarf Fan]

The form of the fronds on this Sabal remind me of a Butia. What type of Sabal does this?

This Palm is growing in a backyard in Corpus Christi, TX.

[PalmatierMeg]

Based on its location I would say Sabal palmetto. Many trunking Sabals have highly costapalmate leaves with a pronounced backward curve.  Sabal miamiensis is sometimes called the “praying hands” palm because its pinnae interlace like fingers. I doubt the pictured palm is miamiensis as it had a limited range and is now extinct in the wild. The palm above looks like an unplanned volunteer.

Sabal minor leaves are much flatter.

[Tom in Tucson]

On 8/3/2023 at 4:05 AM, PalmatierMeg said:

Based on its location I would say Sabal palmetto. Many trunking Sabals have highly costapalmate leaves with a pronounced backward curve.  Sabal miamiensis is sometimes called the “praying hands” palm because its pinnae interlace like fingers. I doubt the pictured palm is miamiensis as it had a limited range and is now extinct in the wild. The palm above looks like an unplanned volunteer.

Sabal minor leaves are much flatter.

You're no doubt right about Sabal miamiensis. I feel fortuhate enough to have one. I bought 2 seedlings last year. One survived. I'll plant it as soon as the high temps. fall below 100˚. I look forward to seeing the “praying hands”.

Hi 109˚, Lo 74˚

Edited August 5, 2023 by Tom in Tucson

[Fusca]

On 8/3/2023 at 12:21 AM, Dwarf Fan said:

The form of the fronds on this Sabal remind me of a Butia. What type of Sabal does this?

This Palm is growing in a backyard in Corpus Christi, TX.

I know exactly what you mean - from a distance the curved fan fronds look just like a Butia's pinnate fronds.    Probably 99% of Sabal palms in Texas are either palmetto or mexicana due to the lack of availability.  Mexicana typically has a thicker trunk and larger crown of leaves so I would agree that the above palm is palmetto.  Seed size is a good way to distinguish between species and below is a good comparison of the larger mexicana seeds (top) with palmetto seeds (bottom).

[Dwarf Fan]

Thanks for the visual that really is a great ID tip Fusca! So basically…

Smaller trunk, smaller crown & smaller seeds & sometimes “Butia style backward/downward curved fronds = Sabal Palmetto

Fatter trunk, fatter crown & fatter seeds = Sabal Mexicana

Sabal Palmetto Seeds: (smaller)

Sabal Mexicana Seeds: (larger)

Edited August 5, 2023 by Dwarf Fan