Many visitors never really experience the true natural side of Florida. They are usually too busy speeding down the interstate toward their destination to notice the unique, natural beauty around them.

Seeing native palms in their real habitats can be a rewarding experience, especially for anyone that lives in an area where palms do not naturally exist. I once observed a Canadian tourist marveling at a young Sabal palmetto growing in a wooded area adjacent to a gas station near Jacksonville. We both appreciated the fact that no one planted it. The palm just grew there naturally.

One of the most visible and unique components of natural Florida is its native palms. Sure, one can see palms in other places. But Florida is home to twelve different species of palms. Seven of these twelve species are native to various locations in extreme southern Florida. These include Royal Palm (Roystonea regia), Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata), Keys Thatch Palm (Thrinax morrisii), Miami Palmetto (Sabal miamiensis), Buccaneer Palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii), Florida Silver Palm (Coccothrinax argentata), and Everglades Palm (Acoelorraphe wrightii). Two of the twelve native Florida palms can be found in northern and central Florida. These palms include Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix), and Sabal minor (Dwarf Palmetto). One palm, Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia), is only native to the Florida Scrub habitat found in central portions of Florida. Sabal Palmetto (Sabal palmetto) is native all over peninsular Florida. The remaining palm, Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), is native throughout the state.

This Website is dedicated to the native Central Florida palms that are a very visible component of natural Florida. Enjoy the photographic tour showcasing these unique plants.