Cabbage palmetto

Description:

This is the fruit of the Sabal palmetto - the berries will turn black as they ripen. I was glad to find one of these palm trees that wasn't manicured as it will provide habitat and protection for all kind of critters and birds. Fruits persist on the spadix until removed by wind, rain, or birds such as ringed-neck gulls, crows, cardinals, and blue jays. On the ground, cabbage palmetto seeds are eaten or cached by small mammals. Birds and mammals act as dispersal agents. Cabbage palmetto seeds are buoyant and salt resistant. Near coastal areas, water is an important means of seed dispersal as well.

Habitat:

Spotted at a park in Pensacola, Florida.

Notes:

Cabbage palmetto flowers from April to August, depending on latitude. Fruits begin to develop in the fall and are mature by winter.