Sabal domingensis


Sabal domingensis, the Hispaniola palmetto, is a species of palm which is native to Hispaniola and Cuba.

Description

Sabal domingensis is a fan palm with solitary, very stout stems, which grows up to tall and in diameter. Plants have 20–30 leaves, each with about 90 leaflets. The inflorescences, which are branched, arching and at least as long as the leaves, bear pear-shaped, black fruit. The fruit are in diameter; fruit size and shape are the main characteristics by which this species differs from Sabal causiarum.

Common names

Sabal domingensis is known as the "Hispaniola palmetto", "Hispaniola palm", or "Dominican palm" palma cana in the Dominican Republic and latanier-chapeau in Haiti.

Distribution

Sabal domingensis is found from northwest Haiti to the central Dominican Republic, and is also present in Cuba. It is usually found in secondary vegetation between above sea level. This palm also grew in Puerto Rico also harvested in Barrio Canas, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as early as the early 1800s for making sombreros. Barrio Canas was given that name in 1831 because of the extensive growth of this palm there during the years of the colonization of Puerto Rico.

Uses

The leaves are used for thatch and to weave a variety of items including hats, baskets and mats.