The Dwarf palm is usually a small shrub with subterranean stem. Sometimes the Dwarf Palmetto forms a short well-developed trunk above ground that can reach 3-4 feet in height. In most cases stem grows downwards into the soil.

The minimal palm has circular costapalmate leaves (intermediate between fan and pinnate leaves). All Sabal species are considered costapalmate. Leaves of the Dwarf palm is weakly costapalmate, they are almost fan-shaped.

 The leaves are 6-10 feet long with 40 leaflets. The leaves have a short midrib. The low growing palm often has leaf blades longer that the leaf stalks. Sometimes leaf stalks little longer than leaves. The blades are blue-green to dark-green in color. The leaf stems are smooth and don’t have spines.

This shrub produces small whitish flowers in late spring and early summer. The inflorescence  rises above the leaves and often is longer than leaves.

The Sabal Minor forms drooping stalks of shiny black fruits beyond the leaves. The fruits have spheroid shape and are about 0.5 inch in diameter. Each fruits has one seed. The drupes ripen in the fall. They are important food for birds, squirrels, raccoons, hogs, dears and bears.

The low growing shrub provides protection to wild animals.

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See also: Date Palm Appearance