1. Introduction

Habitat and Distribution

Sabal domingensis is endemic to the island of Hispaniola, thriving in diverse habitats from coastal plains to mountainous regions up to 1,000 meters elevation. This palm inhabits dry forests, savannas, coastal scrublands, and limestone hills, demonstrating remarkable adaptability to varied ecological conditions. It forms extensive populations in areas with well-drained soils and can dominate certain landscape types, particularly in rain shadow regions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Native Continent

Scientific Classification

Synonyms

• Sabal umbraculifera var. domingensis (Becc.) Becc.
• Sabal blackburniana Glazebr. ex Schult. & Schult.f. (misapplied)
• Sabal neglecta Becc. (in part)

Common Names

• English: Hispaniolan palmetto, Dominican palmetto, Santo Domingo palm
• Spanish: Palma cana, Palma de cana, Cana
• French: Palmier de Saint-Domingue, Latanier-chapeau
• Haitian Creole: Latanyé, Palm cana
• Local names: Yarey (eastern Cuba - misidentification)

Global Expansion

Originally endemic to Hispaniola, Sabal domingensis has been introduced to various tropical and subtropical regions:

• Caribbean Islands: Successfully cultivated in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Lesser Antilles
• Florida: Grown ornamentally in southern Florida, particularly Miami-Dade County
• Central America: Limited cultivation in Costa Rica and Panama
• Hawaii: Established in botanical gardens and private collections
• Mediterranean: Experimental cultivation in southern Spain and Sicily
• Africa: Introduced to Canary Islands for ornamental purposes

The species' drought tolerance and architectural beauty have made it increasingly popular in xeriscape designs worldwide.

2. Biology and Physiology

Morphology

Trunk/Stem

Sabal domingensis develops a robust, solitary trunk reaching heights of 10-20 meters, occasionally up to 25 meters in optimal conditions. The trunk diameter ranges from 30-60 cm, often swollen at the base. Young plants retain persistent leaf bases forming a characteristic "bootjack" pattern, while mature specimens display a smooth, grey trunk marked with close-set leaf scars. The trunk shows remarkable wind resistance due to its flexible nature and deep root system.

Leaves

Massive costapalmate leaves form a dense, rounded crown of 20-30 leaves. Individual leaves measure 2-3 meters in diameter, deeply divided into 80-120 segments split to about half the blade length. The petiole extends 1.5-2.5 meters, is unarmed, and deeply channeled. Leaf color ranges from bright green to blue-green, with a distinctive waxy coating providing drought resistance. The hastula (ligule) is prominent and triangular, measuring 10-15 cm.

Flower Systems

The inflorescence is a large, branched panicle extending beyond the leaves, reaching 2-3 meters in length. Flowers are hermaphroditic, small (4-5 mm), creamy-white, and fragrant. Each flower contains 6 stamens and a single pistil with three carpels. Flowering occurs primarily in spring (March-May), with multiple inflorescences possible on mature specimens. The branching pattern is typically fourth-order, creating a complex architectural structure.

Life Cycle

The palm follows an indeterminate growth pattern:

• Germination phase (0-3 months): Remote germination with elongated cotyledonary petiole
• Establishment phase (3 months-2 years): Underground stem development
• Juvenile phase (2-10 years): Trunk initiation, increasing leaf size
• Adult vegetative phase (10-30 years): Rapid trunk growth, maximum leaf production
• Reproductive maturity (15+ years): Annual flowering and fruiting
• Mature phase (30-100+ years): Continued growth and reproduction

Climate Adaptations