Cabbage palm
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) is Florida’s state tree. It is not a true tree, however. It is more closely related to grasses. In spring, fragrant clusters of tiny white flowers attract bees. The small black fruits are coveted by wildlife. Fronds support bird nests and feed monk skipper caterpillars. Yellow bats roost in dead fronds. Let dead fronds fall naturally. Cabbage palms have a rounded canopy atop an unbranched trunk 1-2 feet in diameter and 40-80 feet tall. The fronds approach 10 feet in length with curved, fan-shaped palm leaves. The bud of immature leaves is edible with a cabbage-like flavor. Removing it, however, kills the palm. The natural range of sabal palm in Wakulla County is near the coast and rivers. Cabbage palms at Sopchoppy Depot Park predate the park..
