Sabal mexicana, commonly known as Texas Palmetto or Rio Grande Palmetto, is an evergreen palm tree native to riverbanks, savannas, and open woodlands in northeastern Mexico, Central America, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and Texas. It can reach a height of 12–18 meters (39–59 feet) with a crown spread of 3–4 meters (9.8–13.1 feet). The trunk is typically 12–15 meters (39–49 feet) tall and 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter, often with a swollen base. The fan-shaped fronds are large, measuring 1.5–1.8 meters (4.9–5.9 feet) wide, and attach to long, spineless petioles that are 90–120 cm (35–47 inches) in length. In summer, it produces spikes of small, bisexual flowers, followed by black drupes when ripe, each 12 mm (0.47 inches) in diameter.

Texas Palmetto is valued for its striking silhouette, drought tolerance, and ability to withstand temperatures down to USDA Zone 8, making it a popular choice for coastal and urban landscapes, as well as xeriscaping. It is also used as a focal point in large gardens and public spaces. This palm prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in a variety of soil types, provided they offer slow to medium drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can suffer from leaf spot diseases and occasionally attract pests such as scales and palm weevils.CC BY-SA 4.0