This large fan palm is the Texas Palm, Sabal mexicana.

It has a thick gray trunk topped by a broad crown of large, fan-shaped leaves. The leaf blades are divided into many segments, and a central rib causes each leaf to curve downward slightly, giving the crown a full, graceful appearance.

Older palms may retain the bases of dead leaves along the trunk, creating a rough, crosshatched pattern. As those leaf bases eventually fall away, the trunk becomes smoother.

Long, branching flower stalks emerge among the leaves and carry hundreds of small creamy-white flowers. These are followed by clusters of small fruits that ripen from green to dark brown or black. Birds and other wildlife eat the fruits and disperse the seeds.

Despite its name, the Texas Palm is not limited to Texas. Its natural range extends from southern Texas through Mexico and into parts of Central America.

It tolerates heat, wind, drought, and occasional cold, but it grows best with regular moisture. Mature specimens can become tall and massive, making this one of the most impressive native palms of the southern United States and Mexico.