Silver Saw Palmetto range?

[NC_Palms]

Does the genetic mutation of the silver saw palmetto occur throughout the whole saw palmetto range or is it found only in certain regions of the species range? 

 

Thanks!!

[PalmatierMeg]

Good question. I think silver saw palmettos started out in a few discrete locations. Man has spread them further. The most northern range for them is a relict population in N. GA that seldom produces seeds.

[Laaz]

Don't know if they are native here, but there are many populations here now. They seed every year & continue to spread.

[NC_Palms]

On 5/21/2017, 11:08:06, Laaz said:

Don't know if they are native here, but there are many populations here now. They seed every year & continue to spread.

I think the northernmost range for saw palmettos is the lowcountry of SC

[PalmWarbler]

I believe the native population is centered around eastern/coastal areas of Hobe Sound and Stuart, FL. However I'm certainly not an expert.

[PalmTreeDude]

At Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, S.C. (way in Southeastern South Carolina) I do believe that I did in fact see a small clump (maybe about four individual palms) of Silver Saw Palmetto. The place was full over normal green ones as well. I also know that Silver Saw Palmetto are planted on Hilton Head Island as well. The map that I attached seems to be pretty accurate of its range, endless it is outdated... But The little spot in South Carolina is mainly where I saw wild Saw Palmetto. 

Edited August 25, 2017 by PalmTreeDude

[PalmTreeDude]

Here is another map. http://www.pollenlibrary.com/map.aspx?map=Serenoa-repens.png

[Turtlesteve]

I have seen them native in SC as well, where indicated on the map, but only the green variety.  They were sufficiently away from civilization that I am confident they were not planted.  They follow the Savannah river drainage a considerable distance (more than 50-60 miles) inland, but are much less common away from the coast.

The 2nd map indicates a native occurrence in N. Alabama - this seems highly doubtful.  Anyone know if this is true?  This would be almost a full USDA zone colder than the rest of their range.

Steve

[PAPalmGrower]

@PalmatierMeg @NC_Palms - I do have a 'Georgia Silver' saw palmetto from that relic population in central Georgia - in the general area of East Georgia State College, east of Swainsboro and Nunez, and a short distance above Route 16.  It is a beautiful and amazing plant that I acquired from a rare plant grower.  That is correct that this population only produces seeds after mild winters.

[PalmatierMeg]

7 minutes ago, PAPalmGrower said:

@PalmatierMeg @NC_Palms - I do have a 'Georgia Silver' saw palmetto from that relic population in central Georgia - in the general area of East Georgia State College, east of Swainsboro and Nunez, and a short distance above Route 16.  It is a beautiful and amazing plant that I acquired from a rare plant grower.  That is correct that this population only produces seeds after mild winters.

I've wanted to try the GA silver saw palmetto for years. RPS had seeds years ago before my time here but not recently.

[PAPalmGrower]

@PalmatierMeg @NC_Palms - it is the one in the center foreground with the glaucous leaves.  The regular, green form Serenoa repens is at the back left in front of the siding. The tall, silver palm at the back right is Nannorrhops ritchieana var. 'Silver'.  The in-ground palm to the left is Sabal minor.