Serenoa
Serenoa
Serenoa (pronunciation: /sɪˈriːnoʊ.ə/), also known as saw palmetto, is a genus of small palm trees in the family Arecaceae. The genus is native to the southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal plains. The sole species currently classified under this genus is Serenoa repens.
Etymology
The genus name Serenoa was named in honor of American botanist Sereno Watson. The common name "saw palmetto" is derived from the appearance of the plant's leaves, which have sharp, saw-like teeth or spines along their edges.
Description
Serenoa repens is a small palm, growing to a height of around 2–4 m. Its trunk is sprawling, and it grows in clumps or dense thickets in sandy coastal lands or as undergrowth in pine woods or hardwood hammocks. The leaves are fan-shaped and the flowers are white. The fruit is a large reddish-black drupe and is an important food source for wildlife and historically for humans.
Medical Uses
Extracts from the fruit of Serenoa repens are used in herbal medicine as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The extract is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. However, the effectiveness of saw palmetto for treating BPH is still under debate and further research is needed.
Related Terms
- Arecaceae: The family of plants to which Serenoa belongs.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: A medical condition for which Serenoa repens is often used in treatment.
- Herbal medicine: The use of plants for medicinal purposes, and the study of such use.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Serenoa
- Wikipedia's article - Serenoa
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