Sabal Palmetto

South Carolina State Tree

SabalPalmettoCabbagePalmtree01.jpg

Cabbage palm tree (sabal palmetto)

Cabbage palm tree (sabal palmetto); photo by Kerry Wixted on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution).

Sabal Palmetto

South Carolina designated the sabal palmetto (Inodes Palmetto) as the official state tree in 1939. The palmetto symbolizes the defeat of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. The fort was constructed of palmetto logs which were able to absorb the impact of cannon balls.

Sabal palmetto (commonly called cabbage palm) is a familiar symbol of South Carolina - in fact it's nickname is The Palmetto State. The sabal palmetto is also featured on the state flag, the great seal, and the U.S. Mint's bicentennial commemorative quarter for South Carolina.

South Carolina

Images

Sabal palmetto trees; photo by Kahlil on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Sabal palmetto trees

The U.S. Mint's bicentennial commemorative quarter for South Carolina features an outline of the state, the state bird (Carolina wren), state tree (sabal palmetto), state flower (yellow jessamine), and the state's nickname: The Palmetto State. South Carolina became the 8th state in 1788. Public domain image on Wikipedia.

South Carolina quarter

Cabbage palm tree (sabal palmetto); photo by Jenny Evans on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution).

Cabbage palm tree (sabal palmetto)

Flag of South Carolina; public domain image on Wikipedia.

South Carolina state flag