Ecological Importance

Many species of wildlife use saw-palmetto for nesting and protective cover and as a food source. The endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) places its nests in association with palmetto, and the Florida panther prefers this plant for both day rest sites and natal dens. The labyrinth of stems often is used for structural support for ground-nesting rodents such as the Florida woodrat (Neotoma floridana). Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is known to use palmetto as nesting cover, and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana) will use it as escape cover when pursued, or as bedding cover on the leeward side of clumps during windy, cold winter days.

Various parts of the plant are eaten by a wide variety of animals. The apical meristem material (or heart) is physically extracted and consumed by black bears (Ursus americanus) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). This is accomplished by grasping the newest leaves in their mouth and pulling them out and consuming the bases. Feral pigs will readily forage in this manner on fresh regrowth following a fire. Such herbivory will often cause adventitious sprouting and branching of individual plants Cattle will forage on the fronds during the winter, especially when fed supplements containing urea-based nitrogen compounds, such as molasses. Although palatability of the fronds is low (<30% digestible), phosphorous content is relatively high for a native flatwoods species. Many species of insects forage on the fleshy pulp of the fruit while the fruit are on the plant and after falling onto the ground.

Several species of wildlife seek out the fruit which are excellent sources of oils and carbohydrates. Black bears have been documented to forsake established home ranges in favor of areas containing large stands of saw-palmetto during late-summer when their fruit is ripe. At times, bears also have been known to literally engorge themselves on the fruit. One road-killed adult female bear in the Ocala National Forest was found to have over 30 pounds of palmetto fruit in her stomach. White-tailed deer and other mid-sized mammals, including the raccoon (Procyon lotor), opposum ( Didelphis virginiana), and gray fox (Urocyon argenteus) readily consume the fruit. All of these species serve as seed dispersal agents as the seeds pass through their digestive systems and are distributed in feces throughout the landscape.

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