Sabal causiarum (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 15m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Arecaceae
Sabal causiarum is an evergreen palm tree with a single stem. Its mid green leaves are arranged radially, palmately, composed of up to 120 leaflets and up to 1.8m long. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 70cm and is smooth and grey. Its yellow/ white flowers are up to 7mm across and are arranged in panicles which are up to 3m long. Its brown/ black fruit is a drupe and is up to 11mm across.
Sabal causiarum Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Sabal causiarum, commonly known as Puerto Rican Hat Palm, is native to Hispaniola,Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.
The etymological root of the binomial name Sabal is probably derived from the Native American name for this palm. Causiarum is derived form the Latin causea meaning ‘a Macedonian type of hat’.
The landscape architect may find Sabal causiarum useful as an attractive palm tree with an architectural habit and suitable for use as a street tree. Once established this palm is drought tollerant.
Ecologically, Sabal causiarum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The fruit of this palm is attractive to some birds.
Sabal causiarum Trunk (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Sabal causiarum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Sabal causiarum requires little maintenance. Dead leaves may be removed from its trunk to keep a tidy appearance.
