In front of you is a long Saw Palmetto stem that is uncharacteristically above ground. It winds around further off the trail and terminates in a large head of leaves. The stems are usually below ground where they are protected from fire. Where the rough bark shows it is called "Alligator Backs".
There is considerable variation in the growth rate estimates of this plant. Measurements of planted Saw Palmetto growth rates range from 0.3 cm to 10cm/year and it is considered that natural growth rates are toward the lower end. Some plants in central Florida have been estimated to be 10,000 years old. So I was curious about how old this large palmetto might be and measured this stem which turned out to be about 874 cm long . It is probably longer since I was unable to determine if I found the true beginning of the stem and it was difficult to place the tape measure. So it could be anywhere from 87-2880 years old. Even if you figure the true age is somewhere in the middle, we're talking over 1000 years old. This is not taking into consideration the time it takes for initial seed germination and for the stem to emerge from the ground.
