palmetto

Any of several tropical and subtropical palms of the Americas having fan-shaped leaves, especially one of the genus Sabal, such as the cabbage palm.

Leaf strips of any of these plants, used in weaving.

Any one of several fan-leafed palms of different genera.

Same as silk-top palmetto.

A name given to palms of several genera and species growing in the West Indies and the Southern United States. In the United States, the name is applied especially to the Chamærops Palmetto, or Sabal Palmetto, the cabbage tree of Florida and the Carolinas. See Cabbage tree, under cabbage.

the West Indian Sabal umbraculifera, the trunk of which, when hollowed, is used for water pipes, etc. The leaves are used for thatching, and for making hats, ropes, etc.

Sabal serrulata, a native of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. The nearly impassable jungle which it forms is called palmetto scrub.

Two closely related genera of New World palms, of the family Arecaceae; (a) Serenoa repens or the saw palmetto is the only species of its genus; it has certain medicinal uses; (b) Sabul, represented by about 15 species, some known commonly as palmettos, others as fan palms.

A native or resident of the American state of South Carolina (female: Palmetta).