cabbage palm
Definition
Noun: 1. A Brazilian palm tree of the genus Euterpe (especially Euterpe oleracea or Euterpe edulis), whose terminal leaf bud (heart of palm) is harvested and eaten like a vegetable. 2. An Australian palm tree (Livistona australis) whose growing tip (palm heart) is edible. 3. A West Indian palm tree (Roystonea oleracea) valued for its edible leaf bud. 4. A low-growing, fan-leaved palm (Sabal palmetto) native to the coastal southeastern United States, also known for its edible leaf bud.
Usage and Examples
- The cabbage palm is an important source of heart of palm in South America.
- In Florida, the cabbage palm is the state tree and is often seen in coastal landscapes.
- Early settlers in Australia sometimes used the cabbage palm as a source of food.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The term "cabbage palm" is a common name applied to several distinct palm species from different parts of the world, united by the characteristic of having an edible apical meristem or "heart." The specific species referred to depends entirely on the geographical context.
- Harvesting the heart (the growing bud) of a cabbage palm typically kills the tree, as it removes the only point from which it can grow.
Variants and Related Words
- Heart of palm / Palm heart: The edible vegetable harvested from the inner core and growing bud of the cabbage palm and some other palms.
- Sabal palmetto: The scientific name for the North American cabbage palm.
- Palmetto: A common name for fan palms, especially those in the genus , which includes the cabbage palm.
Different Meanings by Context
- Botanical/Agricultural Context: Refers specifically to a palm species cultivated or harvested for its edible bud.
- Horticultural/Landscaping Context (in the southeastern U.S.): Primarily refers to as a hardy, native ornamental tree.
- Culinary Context: Indirectly refers to the source plant for the ingredient "heart of palm."
Synonyms
- Palmetto (for the North American species)
- Sabal palm (for the North American species)
- Heart of palm tree (descriptive synonym)
Related Terms and Phrases
- To harvest cabbage palm: The act of cutting down the tree to extract the edible heart.
- Cabbage palm fronds: The large, fan-shaped leaves of the tree.
Noun
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Brazilian palm of genus Euterpe whose leaf buds are eaten like cabbage when young
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Australian palm with leaf buds that are edible when young
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West Indian palm with leaf buds that are edible when young
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low-growing fan-leaved palm of coastal southern United States having edible leaf buds
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