Serenoa repens aka Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens, also known as saw palmetto, is a hardy, slow-growing, and long-lived fan palm that is endemic to subtropical and tropical areas of the Southeastern United States. It typically grows to a maximum height of 7-10 ft and can be found in clumps or dense thickets in sandy coastal areas, as well as undergrowth in pine woods or hardwood hammocks. While it rarely produces erect stems or trunks, some populations have been known to do so. The leaves of saw palmetto are light green inland and silvery-white in coastal regions, with a bare petiole ending in a rounded fan of about 20 leaflets. However, the petiole is armed with sharp teeth or spines that can easily break the skin, so protective gear should be worn when working around the plant. The plant's flowers are yellowish-white and about 5 mm across, produced in dense compound panicles up to 60 cm long. Its large reddish-black drupe is an important food source for wildlife and has also historically been used as a food source for humans. Additionally, saw palmetto is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species such as Batrachedra decoctor, which feeds exclusively on the plant. Overall, saw palmetto is a highly salt-tolerant plant that is commonly found along the south Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains and sand hills. Its hardiness, slow growth, and longevity make it an important part of many coastal ecosystems in the Southeastern United States.