Serenoa repens
Serenoa repens
Serenoa repens (pronunciation: /sɪˈriːnoʊ.ə ˈriːpɛnz/), commonly known as saw palmetto, is a species of palm native to the southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains. It is a small palm, growing to a maximum height of around 7–10 ft (2.1–3.0 m).
Etymology
The genus name Serenoa was named in honor of American botanist Sereno Watson, while the species name repens is Latin for creeping, referring to the plant's growth habit.
Description
The Serenoa repens palm has a sprawling trunk that grows horizontally, with leaves that are fan-shaped and sharp-toothed. The fruit is a large reddish-black drupe and is an important food source for wildlife and historically for humans.
Uses
The fruit of Serenoa repens has been used in traditional medicine for urinary and reproductive problems, and modern studies suggest it may have potential benefits for conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Related Terms
- Drupe: A type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell with a seed inside.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: A common condition as men get older that causes the prostate gland to enlarge and can cause problems with urination.
- Sereno Watson: An American botanist who specialized in the flora of the western United States.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Serenoa repens
- Wikipedia's article - Serenoa repens
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski