Sabal palm identification (Google street view link)

[IrishPalm22]

Hello there. I was looking online on Streetviews in the States and came upon this Sabal palm in the town of Hatteras, in the state of North Carolina.

Mystery Sabal Palm

Is this a genuine Sabal minor or is this possibly a hybrid? Is introgression common in Sabal as it is with Phoenix in Europe? (I.e. dactylifera x canariensis) The palm appears mostly palmate rather than strongly costapalmate like Sabal palmetto, but perhaps a touch costapalmate. The size of the plant and the trunk and “booting” pattern look a bit different than other pictures I have seen of the few Sabal minor that actually do achieve short trunks. The “booting” pattern looks slightly less messy and more geometric like S. palmetto than other trunking Sabal minors  I’ve seen photographed.

I would appreciate the input.

 

Go raibh maith agat.

 

(Also for the craic attaching a couple of photos I’ve taken recently of Phoenix canariensis found while wandering in Co. Cork)

[SeanK]

Perhaps what folks have labeled as S.birmingham, a palmetto-minor cross.

Big minors aren't THAT big and are found in swampy areas.

[IrishPalm22]

Thanks lad—I’ve yet to come upon any sabal in Ireland but there are surprisingly healthy butias, some quite tall like these in the Big Shmoke. Something like bermudana or uresana blue highland variety would look class, even Birmingham as you mentioned. Ireland just does not have heat despite most urban areas and the coast being Z9 (possibly extremely small areas of Z10 in West Cork, West Kerry). The hybridisation possibilities should be studied more.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

I see what you see. Nice find. It is an unusual palm. Could be a minor or hybrid. Could just be a transplant that has not fully recovered. Big Sabal minors are native to that island. They are named "Sabal minor Cape Hatteras Giant" and yes they do grow there in sand and do not have to be in a swampy area, even though they prefer wet areas. That may be a very large minor and I have seen some big ones just not with that much trunk. Sabal palmetto palms are dug in Florida and hauled up here to North Carolina and sold by the thousands. Mostly they are trunked ones but they do bring a few smaller ones. It is very possible that they could dig up a hybrid and bring it up here to sell.  Most all palmetto have an evenly spaced and arranged pattern. Minor  has a more haphazard pattern. Hybridization seems to not be common but does happen.