What Is It, And Does it Grow In Saltwater?

[Butch]

Since being homebound because of the virus, I have been scanning a bunch of old photos and slides... I have a pic of my Mother standing in front of a  couple of palms on Siesta Key, Sarsota Florida... If It is indeed the key, I'm sure the palm is growing in salt water... I have no idea if they were planted, but at that time, most of Siesta Key was wild... This was in the early-mid 1940s... I'm note really sure of the location, but that is were we lived...

Butch

[kinzyjr]

Looks like Sabal palmetto.  They'll grow in just about anything and are salt tolerant.

[Butch]

Would it be native to the Key?

Butch

[kinzyjr]

36 minutes ago, Butch said:

Would it be native to the Key?

Butch

Yes, they are native throughout Florida.

[JLM]

Yep @Butch they can be found almost everywhere along the gulf coast and southeast Atlantic coast. 

[Butch]

Thanks... Just seeing it growing right in the water on a sandy beach, confused me... Usually you just see coconuts doing that...

Butch

[redant]

19 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

Looks like Sabal palmetto.  They'll grow in just about anything and are salt tolerant.

They really don't like salt water and will not grow in salt water. They are tolerant of some salt but not a lot. I live on the Loxahatchee river, go a bit upstream from me you can see the devastation to the wild sabals along the river bank from salt water intrusion due to a lack of fresh water upstream and damage to the oxbows down stream. Some of those issues have been addressed but damage to the sabals and cypress trees has been enormous.

[NickJames]

On this topic, I noticed the ones at Romano Park in Ormond Beach on the ocean looked horrendous last time I was down there. Is it because of salt spray, possible from Hurricane Dorian? 

[Bill H2DB]

  The beach front is a wretched place for plants .  It is subject to the harshest winds for most of the year , salt laden , and drying as hell .

Also the beachfront does not receive as much rain in the summer time , as the more inland areas as one goes towards I95 etc . 

The convective Thunderstorms are often a product of the seabreeze , and that same breeze often holds them away from the beach .

  In addition , the dunes are excessively well drained , and so the plants must be of a type that can reach the available water .

   Planting a palm in an asphalt lanscape , with token irrigation , dark asphalt creating more heat , drying winds . and the result is........

  Look at an undisturbed area of the ocean front , and you will see plants that are adapted to the conditions .  Lots of cactus even .....

  Then go to the west side of the peninsula ( now often called the barrier island ) , where the winds are ameliorated  by the intervening distance and trees , and the plants are fairly lush.....

   Adding additional irrigation helps to an extent , but overall the direct ocean front is a tough place .  Look at the Beccariophoenix's that were planted

on the beach facing side of the Hard Rock in Daytona .  Most are smaller now , than when planted , as the plants try to adapt .

Some of the remaining older " Mom & Pop ' type of motels in the area have , over time found what plants will work , and have a greener

landscape .

 

BTW it's also hell on wheels for cars , houses , and about anything else .  Mom Nature .

[redbeard917]

Eroding, ever-changing shorelines are often the cause of Sabals growing in saltwater. See Cape San Blas.

[kinzyjr]

Cape San Blas - photo shows some alive near the shore and one that likely perished from salt water inundation.

[Butch]

The trees look pretty healthy, for being right in the water... I suppose this could be a inland river, or more likely bay... I'm just guessing Siesta Key, because we lived there, on the southern tip, at Midnight Pass Fish Camp.

Butch