Sargent’s Palm, Sargent’s Cherry Palm – Pseudophoenix Sargentii

General Landscape Uses: Accent or specimen palm.

Ecological Restoration Notes: Historical populations are being augmented at Biscayne National Park and reintroduced at Long Key State Park. These are the only historical locations in South Florida.

Description: Shrub or small tree.

Growth Rate: Slow.

Range: South Florida, the West Indies, southern Mexico and Belize. In South Florida, native only to Elliott Key in Miami-Dade County and Long Key in the Monroe County Keys. Very slow growing and apparently not spreading from cultivation elsewhere. For a digitized image of Elbert Little’s Florida range map, visit the Exploring Floridawebsite.

Habitats: Coastal hammocks.

Soils: Moist, very well-drained limestone or sandy soils, with or without a humusy top layer.

Salt Water Tolerance: Moderately low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water, but tolerates short term inunation by salt water from storm surge with minimal damage.

Salt Wind Tolerance: High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.

Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.

Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.

Flower Color: Yellow.

Flower Characteristics: Inconspicuous.

Flowering Season: All year.

References: Hammer 2004