Here is a warrior's eye view of a Seminole War battlefield. The saw palmetto in the foreground didn't offer much cover during the actual gunfight, but it worked for moving stealthily through the forest. Seminoles wore clothing that protected them from the leaves' sharp blades, while U.S. soldiers often found their uniforms torn and bloody. You can see how the plant got its name! The pine trees in the backround did offer excellent cover, but the Seminoles were leery of fighting on solid ground, where the Army, with its cannons and artillery, held the advantage. As much as possible, the Seminoles took the fight into the swamps.
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