Serenoa

Serenoa, also known as saw palmetto, is a genus of the palm family (Arecaceae). It is a small palm, growing to a maximum height of around 7–10 ft (2.1–3.0 m). Its trunk grows in a creeping pattern, often along the ground, and it has a crown of leaves with sharp, saw-like teeth or spines on the petioles.

Description

The Serenoa genus is monotypic, with only one species, Serenoa repens. The plant is a hardy and versatile species, able to grow in a variety of environments and climates. It is native to the southeastern United States, most commonly along the south Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains, but also as far inland as southern Arkansas.

Uses

The fruit of Serenoa repens is used in herbal medicine. It is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. It has been used in traditional, eclectic, and alternative medicine for a variety of indications, most notably benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Research

Research into the effectiveness of Serenoa as a treatment for BPH has been inconclusive. Some studies have found it to be effective, while others have not. The American Urological Association and the National Institutes of Health state that the extracts from Serenoa are well-tolerated by users, but they are "no more effective than placebo" in treating symptoms of BPH.

See also

• List of Southern United States trees
• List of Florida native plants

External links

• ITIS Standard Report Page: Serenoa
• USDA Plants Profile: Serenoa

Serenoa

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  Serenoa repens USDA1
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  Serenora Repens Habitat Punta Gorda
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  Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) in Manatee Springs State Park
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  Windy Serenoa Repens Trunks
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  Serenoa repens
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  Silver Saw Palmetto Clump