Jump to content
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOGGING IN ×
  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

possible Sabal etonia x palmetto hybrid


Eric in Orlando

Recommended Posts

I came across a possible Sabal etonia x palmetto hybrid in the Seminole State Forest northwest of Orlando . It was growing among other mature Sabal etonia, Serenoa repens and juvenile Sabal palmetto on top of a hill, in sand scrub forest. The hill slopes sharply to Sulphur Run, a creek that is fed by multiple springs. On the slope and near the creek it is moist to wet dense forest habitat with lots of old, tall Sabal palmetto and thick masses of juvenile S. palmetto.
 

DSC_9537~3.JPG

DSC_9539~2.JPG

DSC_9538~3.JPG

DSC_9543~3.JPG

  • Like 2
  • Upvote 1

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a 2nd specimen that was growing nearby. 

DSC_9546~2.JPG

  • Like 2
  • Upvote 1

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Eric, could you show/explain what traits tell you those palms are etonia x palmetto hybrids? That the mother is etonia while father is palmetto and not vice versa? How prone is the Sabal genus to hybridization?

Thanks for the habitat photos.

  • Upvote 1

Meg

Palms of Victory I shall wear

Cape Coral (It's Just Paradise)
Florida
Zone 10A on the Isabelle Canal
Elevation: 15 feet

I'd like to be under the sea in an octopus' garden in the shade.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have seen etonia that look like that before.  I would wait to see what the ripe seeds look like.

  • Upvote 1

Brevard County, Fl

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It would be interesting if this is true.  My understanding is that when similar members of the same genus overlap ranges, their hybridization barriers tend to increase, especially the more ancient the separation of the species, otherwise they would interbreed constantly.  Since the sabal genus is ancient by palm standards, it may be difficult, or possibly impossible.  But it would be great if you did find hybrids.

God bless America...

and everywhere else too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The inflorescence looks to be branched to 2 orders and shorter than the leaves as per S. etonia, S. palmetto is 3.  But the foliage totally looks like juvenile S. palmetto, never seen a S. etonia look like that. I know where the palm is located so will go back in a few months and examine the fruit.

That 2nd specimen is nearby and stood out too, it was larger, the leaves are 5-6ft high. It may be a juvenile S. palmetto flowering (which happens occasionally) but the inflorescences are short and down near the ground. I didn't get a closeup of the inflorescence to see how they were branched.

  • Upvote 1

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...