• The coconut palm is found along Florida's west coast.Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Palm trees are members of the Arecaceae family and grow along the east and west coasts of Florida. Certain types of palm trees are steeped in Florida's history. The bud of the sabal palm is known as "swamp cabbage," which was cooked and eaten by early Floridian settlers. Numerous Florida counties still hold annual swamp cabbage festivals, where visitors can sample this treat. Sarasota County, Florida, has many species of palm trees that are often found along beaches but commonly used as ornamentals in landscape designs.
  
  

Coconut Palm

• The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn) is grown for its ornamental value as well as the fruit. Coconuts are an important crop for many tropical countries because a wide range of products are produced from the coconut. Shampoos, cooking oils and soaps are made from coconut. The coconut palm begins fruiting in six to 10 years after seed germination. Within 15 to 20 years, it is producing approximately 50 to 200 coconuts annually and will continue production until the age of 80. Coconut palm trees have one trunk and reach heights of 80 to 100 feet. Some cultivars are dwarf varieties. Other characteristics of the coconut palm are long, feathery leaves, small flowers and the coconut, which is oval in shape and has a thick, hairy shell. Coconut palms are perfect for Florida's climate because they are drought and salt tolerant and typically withstand hurricane-force winds. Diseases such as lethal yellowing and bud rot can affect this palm tree, as well as nutritional deficiencies.
  
  

Paurotis Palm

• The paurotis palm tree (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) often is found in the southern portions of Florida. This striking palm reaches heights of 15 to 25 feet and has a spread of 10 to 15 feet. Leaves are 18 to 36 inches in length and shaped like a star. Flowers in yellow, white and cream bloom on the paurotis palm tree, and it produces small, round fruit, which birds eat. The paurotis palm thrives in full sun but grows well in areas that have partial shade. The paurotis palm often is used in commercial landscape designs as well as residential lawns. This palm tree is slow growing and susceptible to nutritional disorders such as potassium deficiencies.
  
  

Cabbage Palm

• The cabbage palm, also known as the sabal palmetto, is commonly found in beachfront locations in Sarasota County, Florida. The cabbage palm is the state tree of Florida and South Carolina and often is used in residential and commercial landscape designs. This palm tree can reach heights of 90 feet but most commonly is seen at heights of 40 to 50 feet. Dense foliage tops this palm, as well as white and cream flowers and small black fruit. Cabbage palms are known for their resilience to hurricane-force winds and are easy to transplant. Pests such as the cabbage palm caterpillar and the giant palm weevil can attack cabbage palms. The most serious disease of the cabbage palm is Ganoderma butt rot, which kills the affected tree.