Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto is a palm native to the lowlands of the Southeastern USA. This palm gets its name from the large saw like teeth that grown on the base of each of its palm fronds. These sharp teeth or spines are useful to distinguish it from its Sabal Palm. It is commonly found growing under both pine and hardwoods. The fronds are quite large like with many other palms. The plant, however, does not grow to great height like palm trees do. The trunk is very short and with the fronds the overall height is usually about headhigh with most of the height being accounted for by the fronds.

Although Saw Palmetto is listed here as a survival food it is most commonly know for its purported prostate health benefits. I list it here not because it is some great tasting food because it is very low on my list of palatable foods. I list it here primarily as a survival food because where it is found it is often found in abundance and does provide a year round source of sustenance.

Saw Palmetto produces both berries and an edible heart. The berries are grown in large numbers on stalks above the trunk. These berries are green before they are ripe and turn either black or brown when ready to eat. The berries are small about 1/3 of an inch in diameter and most of the mass is taken up by an inedible pit.

These berries when ripe can be eaten raw or can be used to make a tea. Again, not my favorite food, but if you have nothing else to eat, then they will surely be welcomed.

The berries can also be dried for later use which can greatly extend the time that they can (hopefully) supplement your food supply.

In addition to the fall berries you can also eat the terminal buds by with gloves pulling the newest fronds. The base of the removed frond is edible. Try to take from many plants so as to keep the plants alive for the future.