Growth ofSerenoa repensPlanted in a Former Agricultural Site

Abstract

Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) is an important plant in many Florida habitats; not only does it provide food and shelter for numerous species, but it is also a highly flammable species that is fuel for fire in many of Florida's fire-maintained ecosystems. With loss of natural area due to development and agriculture, restoration of highly degraded lands may become an increasing focus of land managers. Published literature indicates that Saw Palmetto is a slow-growing species, with stems growing only a few centimeters per year. However, these growth rates are for Saw Palmetto growing in natural systems. A 16-year planting study done at the Kennedy Space Center/Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge shows that Saw Palmettos in a former citrus grove can have highly variable growth rates, often exceeding that in native habitats. Stem length varied from 0–166 cm and crown width ranged from 13–510 cm for Saw Palmettos planted 16 years earlier as 1-gallon-sized nursery stock. Individuals growing in dense Bahiagrass had much slower growth (stem length, height, and crown width) than individuals grown without Bahiagrass.