Palatka in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Saw Palmetto
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 5, 2021
1. Saw Palmetto Marker
This plant gets its name from the saw-like teeth on the leaf stem. It played an important role in the lives of the Indians and early settlers of Florida. The dark berries and leaf buds were eaten, and the roots furnished tannic acid used in tanning leather. The fragrant blooms furnish a rich source of nectar for honeybees.
The saw palmetto grows best in open sunny areas and is well adapted to areas which frequently burn.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 29° 38.066′ N, 81° 38.595′ W. Marker is in Palatka, Florida, in Putnam County. It can be reached from Twigg Street east of South 18th Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in Ravine Gardens State Park, along the gardens loop trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka FL 32177, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Suspension Bridges and Amphitheater (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Palatka Waterworks (about 400 feet away); Native Americans at the River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ravine State Gardens (approx. 0.2
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Civil War and the Ravines (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Saw palmetto is a fan palm, with the leaves that have a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of about 20 leaflets. The petiole is armed with fine, sharp teeth or spines that give the species its common name. It is endemic to the subtropical and tropical Southeastern United States as well as Mexico, most commonly along the south Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains and sandhills. It grows in clumps or dense thickets in sandy coastal areas, and as undergrowth in pine woods or hardwood hammocks.(Submitted on May 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Native Americans and Saw Palmetto (Answer Foundry).
Excerpt:(Submitted on May 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Native Americans used saw palmetto for a variety of uses. Its fruits were eaten. The leaves were used to thatch dwellings and to weave baskets. Cordage was made from its fibers. It has even been used as an appetite stimulant. A crude extract of Saw Palmetto was used for at least 200 years for various conditions including asthenia (weakness), recovery from a major illness, and urogenital problems.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 5, 20212. Saw Palmetto Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 5, 2021
3. Saw Palmetto & Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 5, 2021
4. Saw Palmetto Leaves
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, March 5, 2021
5. Saw Palmetto Leaf Stem (petiole)
Note the sharp, needle-like spines along the edges. Ouch!
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 10, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
