Scientific name Sabal domingensis | Genus Sabal Rank Species | |
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Similar Sabal causiarum, Sabal maritima, Sabal uresana, Sabal bermudana, Sabal etonia | ||
Sabal domingensis, the Hispaniola palmetto, is a species of palm which is native to Hispaniola and Cuba.
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Description
Sabal domingensis is a fan palm with solitary, very stout stems, which grows up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall and 60 centimetres (24 in) 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 1–1.4 centimetres (0.4–0.6 in) 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 100 and 1,000 metres (328 and 3,281 ft) above sea level.
Uses
The leaves are used for thatch and to weave a variety of items including hats, baskets and mats.
