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Palmetto thrives in low lying areas such as lower St. Martin Parish which was regularly burned in the past to increase soil fertility. Several cultural groups in Louisiana used palmetto in a variety of traditional crafts, but today the Houma Indians of Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes are the most prolific craftsmen with this material. Marie Dean's shed for drying palmetto in Dulac, Terrebonne Parish. Palmetto must be harvested when green and hung to dry.

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Photographer: Maida Owens

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Photographer: Nicholas R. Spitzer

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