Serenoa repens
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fecc59b0a2219670535 |
| Scientific name | Serenoa repens |
| Authority | (W.Bartram) Small |
| First published in | J. New York Bot. Gard. 27: 193 (1926) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole peoples of the Florida Gulf coast and lower Southeast, dried saw palmetto fruits have long been taken as an aqueous infusion for urinary support and as a general tonic. James Moerman’s Native American Ethnobotany records root decoctions used as a tonic and diuretic among these and other groups; in the southeastern coastal plain, Moerman also notes that the fruit has been infused for “irritation of the urinary passages.” Earlier work by William Bartram, who described the palms he encountered in late eighteenth‑century Florida, is often cited in later ethnobotanical summaries as the baseline observation of fruit consumption by local peoples. In modern ethnobotanical compilations, saw palmetto’s fruits are repeatedly mentioned in these cultural contexts as soothing infusions for the urinary tract, though the plant’s broader ceremonial or material uses (fronds, cordage, thatching) are not the focus here.
One practical recipe is a mild tea from dried fruit. Place 10–12 g of dried, crushed saw palmetto berries in a small pot with 250 ml of cold water, bring to a simmer, then cover and steep off heat for 10–15 minutes; strain and drink one cup once or twice daily for several weeks as needed. Because sweetened preparations can be comforting for urinary irritation, you may add a small amount of honey after straining. If you have gallstone symptoms, kidney stones, or are on anticoagulant medication, consult a qualified practitioner before using saw palmetto; pregnant or nursing individuals should avoid unprescribed preparations.
Well‑established constituents reported for Serenoa repens fruit include free fatty acids (especially lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic acids), fixed oils rich in these acids, β‑sitosterol and other phytosterols, and minor volatile compounds; these are the constituents most consistently associated with contemporary extracts of the species and are the basis for commercial standardization. Contemporary research continues to evaluate saw palmetto extracts for their effects on lower urinary tract symptoms, and standardized products remain widely available as dietary supplements.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Saw palmetto produces a fixed oil and CO2/ethanolic extracts from the ripe fruit that are used as flavoring substances in foods and beverages; these are listed by FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association) as GRAS materials.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
FEMA-listed fruit extracts from Serenoa repens are employed as flavor components in beverages (including alcoholic mixes), confectionery, baked goods, and dairy analogs, where they provide distinctive fatty/roasted notes. The materials are used at low flavor levels in finished formulations and are covered under the US FDA food additive regulations for flavoring substances.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
Saw palmetto fruit extracts are used in fine fragrances, soaps, and detergents as fragrance ingredients. The materials are listed by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and thus subject to IFRA Standards on composition, purity, and safe use. The extracts function as fixatives and blending components due to their non-volatile fatty composition, contributing smooth, resinous notes to fragrance accords. Their fatty-acid-rich composition and stability profile support these applications.
Properties relevant to use:
The fixed oil is high in saturated fatty acids (predominantly lauric and myristic) with minor medium-chain fatty acids, conferring oxidatively stable, emollient properties that aid fixative performance in fragrance and blending in flavor systems. The CO2 and ethanol extracts contain lipophilic fractions of fruit lipids that retain characteristic flavor/odor profiles suitable for low-use-rate applications.
Standards and regulation:
FEMA GRAS listings provide the recognized regulatory basis for use of S. repens fruit extracts as flavoring substances. IFRA Standards govern the use of these extracts in fragrance and cosmetic products, including limits and ingredient transparency requirements. Food use is subject to the US FDA’s general provisions for flavoring substances.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial supply is derived primarily from wild-harvested fruit in the southeastern United States. Wild collection can exert pressure on local populations; industry practices generally include collection from readily available stands, exclusion of protected habitats, and adherence to regional conservation guidelines. Sustainable supply depends on monitoring harvest intensity and supporting habitat protection measures.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Sabal serrulata | Schult.f. | Syst. Veg. 7: 1486 (1830) |
| Serenoa serrulata | (Michx.) Hook.f. | Index Kew. 2: 884 1895 |
| Brahea serrulata | H.Wendl. | Palmiers : 235 (1878) |
| Serenoa repens f. glauca | Moldenke | Phytologia 14: 326 (1967) |
| Chamaerops serrulata | Michx. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 239 (1803) |
| Corypha obliqua | W.Bartram | Travels Carolina : 61 (1791) |
| Corypha repens | W.Bartram | Travels Carolina : 61 (1791) |
| Diglossophyllum serrulatum | (Michx.) H.Wendl. ex Salomon | Hamburger Garten- Blumenzeitung 31: 162 (1875) |
| Serenoa serrulata | (Michx.) G.Nicholson | Rep. Progr. Condition Roy. Gard. Kew 1882: 64. 1884 |
| Diglossophyllum serrulatum | (Michx.) H.Wendl. ex Drude | Bull. Soc. Tosc. Ortic. 14: 337 1889 |
| Diglossophyllum serrulatum | (Michx.) Schaedtler | Hamburger Garten- Blumenzeitung 31: 162 (1875) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | silver saw palmetto |
| English | sabal serrulata |
| English | saw palmetto |
| English | scrub palmetto |
| Spanish | diglossophyllum |
| Spanish | diglossophyllum serrulatum |
| Spanish | serenoa serrulata |
| Spanish | sabal serrulata |
| Spanish | chamaerops serrulata |
| Spanish | corypha repens |
| Spanish | serenoa repens f. glauca |
| Spanish | corypha obliqua |
| Spanish | brahea serrulata |
| Arabic | نخل قصير |
| Arabic | بلميط منشاري |
| Catalan | sàbal |
| German | sabal serrulata |
| German | sägepalme |
| Persian | نخلک ارهای |
| French | sabal dealbata |
| Hebrew | דקל ננסי |
| Croatian | sabal serrulata |
| Hungarian | fűrészpálma |
| Indonesian | saw palmetto |
| Japanese | ノコギリパルメット |
| Japanese | ノコギリヤシ |
| Lithuanian | serenoja |
| Lithuanian | gulsčioji serenoja |
| Macedonian | сереноја |
| Polish | palma sabałowa |
| Polish | palma sabalowa |
| Polish | bocznia piłkowana |
| Romanian | saw palmetto |
| Russian | Сереноя |
| Russian | Сереноа |
| Russian | Сереноа ползучая |
| Russian | Сереноя ползучая |
| Thai | ปาล์มเลื้อย |
| Turkish | cüce palmiye |
| Ukrainian | Сереноа |
| Chinese | 锯棕 |
| Chinese | 锯叶棕 |
| Chinese | 鋸棕櫚 |
| Chinese | 鉅棕櫚果 |
| Chinese | 鋸葉棕櫚 |
| Chinese | 鋸葉棕 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000309573 |
| UNII | 487DXM62F2 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 2664 |
| Flora of Alabama | 3821 |
| USDA Plants | SERE2 |
| Tropicos | 2400863 |
| INPN | 770985 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:941782-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-190787 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 71637 |
| Observations.org | 409152 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 4722 |
| Nature Serve | 2.139448 |
| IPNI | 941782-1 |
| iNaturalist | 83102 |
| GBIF | 2735055 |
| Freebase | /m/02r6fj |
| FEIS | plants/shrub/serrep |
| EPPO | SERRE |
| EOL | 1130738 |
| Elurikkus | 231147 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85117780 |
| USDA GRIN | 103108 |
| Wikipedia | Serenoa |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| Nonadecane | 12401 | Click to see | 268.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Myristic Acid | 11005 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0045(199605)28:5<300::AID-PROS5>3.0.CO;2-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| Oleic Acid | 445639 | Click to see | 282.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0045(199605)28:5<300::AID-PROS5>3.0.CO;2-F https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 |
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0045(199605)28:5<300::AID-PROS5>3.0.CO;2-F |
| Palmitoleic Acid | 445638 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 254.41 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| Tridecanoic acid | 12530 | Click to see | 214.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Capric Acid | 2969 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 172.26 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 |
| Hexanoic Acid | 8892 | Click to see | 116.16 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 |
| Lauric Acid | 3893 | Click to see | 200.32 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0045(199605)28:5<300::AID-PROS5>3.0.CO;2-F https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| Octanoic Acid | 379 | Click to see CCCCCCCC(=O)O | 144.21 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| Undecanoic Acid | 8180 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 186.29 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(95)00734-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Elaidolinolenic acid | 5282822 | Click to see | 278.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 280.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1021/BK-2002-0803.CH009 |
| Linolenic Acid | 5280934 | Click to see | 278.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80030-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Glycerolipids / Monoradylglycerols / Monoacylglycerols / 1-monoacylglycerols | |||||
| (2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl dodecanoate | 71598538 | Click to see | 274.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP960552O |
| (2R)-2,3-Dihydroxypropyl tetradecanoate | 71598539 | Click to see | 302.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP960552O |
| Glyceryl Myristate | 79050 | Click to see | 302.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP960552O |
| Monolaurin | 14871 | Click to see | 274.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP960552O |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| [(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] dodecanoate | 15086444 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C | 597.00 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| [(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] tetradecanoate | 13828705 | Click to see | 625.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| [17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl] tetradecanoate | 13828703 | Click to see | 625.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| beta-Sitosterol palmitate | 13747834 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C | 653.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| beta-Sitosteryl palmitate | 9852570 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C | 653.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-yl dodecanoate | 319317 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C | 597.00 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(tridecoxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 163034156 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCOCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2CCC3(C4CCC5(C(C4CC=C3C2)CCC5C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C)O)O)O | 759.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| [(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl decanoate | 162850671 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2CCC3(C4CCC5(C(C4CC=C3C2)CCC5C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C)O)O)O | 731.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| 2-[[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(tridecoxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 163034155 | Click to see | 759.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| 2-[[17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl]oxy]-6-(undecoxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 162845267 | Click to see | 731.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| sitosteryl-6'-O-undecane-beta-D-glucoside | 162845268 | Click to see | 731.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| ST 29:1;O;Hex;FA 10:0 | 162850669 | Click to see | 731.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0896-8446(01)00110-3 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1080/10826079408013609 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One | 5378597 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5462193 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Vitamin P | 5293655 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| Apigenin-7-O-neohesperidoside | 5459217 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC(=CC4=O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
| Rhoifolin | 5282150 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC(=CC4=O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19893220211 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |