Saw palmetto is a small hardy fan palm whose stem usually remains below ground or runs just along the surface. An especially attractive form with silvery-blue leaves occurs along the Atlantic coast in Florida and is the form most often grown in gardens and landscapes. Prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial sun. Prefers moist, but well drained position. Very tolerant of coastal exposure.
This palm is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Seeds of Saw Palmetto are widely used in traditional medicine to make an extract for curing prostate problems. Tons of Palmetto seeds are collected in Florida every year for medical industry.
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