Serenoa repens

Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) is native to the southern and eastern coast of the US and is one of the most common palms to observere in these areas, growing both wild and planted in garden and parks. The palm is yet to be tested properly in Scandianavia, so there are today few observations to hang on to - but the palm has proven good in England and the Vancouver area in Canada, which are places that have a climate that is not very different from some climate zones in Scandinavia. Like many other hardy palm trees it needs hot and sunny summers to obtain full winter hardiness. When the hardiness is at top it can withstand temperatures down to minus 12 degrees celcius, but this hardiness could not possibly be aquired here in Scandianvia beacuse of the summers - at best the hardiness could reach about minus 5 degrees celcius over a short period.

Tests and observations show that the palm does not need as hot and intense summers as Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Nannorrhops ritchiana to grow, but on the contrary this palm grows much slower than those two. The palm grows fastest when it is about 0,5 -2 metre in height, bigger specimen grow little. It can also become very old with specimen found being 600-700 years old, which is far older than the average life span of a palm tree.

Areas where Serenoa repens could be testet with luck in Scandinavia are rather limited. Places with a good local climate along the coast between Bergen and Stavanger in Norway, southernmost in Sweden and in the Copenhagen area could be possible sites for growth.

Serenoa repens has often the shape of a bush, growing wide with a thick and massive trunk. In perfect climates it can form a more erect trunk and grow some height (up to 7 metres). The leaf branches has tiny sharp spines which is the reason for its name.

The seed germination period of Serenoa repens is one of the longest germination periods among palm trees. It can take up to 5-6 months.

Photo: Tony Pedersen

- Serenoa repens in Bergen, Norway