The Palmetto 



^^1 



Fig. 104. Palmetto, Charleston, South Carolina. 



is applied to it in the south; the leaves are largely used in making hats, baskets, 

 and mats, and are also employed for thatching. This palm is much planted for 

 ornament within the regions of its natural growth. It is calhd Pond thatch and 

 Pond top in the Bahamas; it exudes a resin when wounded. 



The type of the genus Sabal is S. glabra (jMiller) Sargent, a species with a hori- 

 zontal underground stem growing from South Carolina to Florida and Louisiana. 

 S. Etonia Swingle, of Florida, also has a subterranean stem. A Palmetto occurs 

 in southern Texas, about the mouth of the Rio Grande, which is supposed to be 

 specifically distinct from S. Palmetto of the Atlantic coast and has been named 

 Inodes texana by Mr. O. F. Cook, and has been erroneously called Sabal mcxicana; 

 its fruit is described as often 2-lo})ed or ^dobed, a character rarcl}- seen in .S. Pal- 

 metto, and it is also larger than that usually produced by the eastern tree, but the 

 fruit of 5. Palmetto varies greatly in size. The trees of Cuba and Porto Rico, 



