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Tropicals > Cycas > Cycas revoluta > Cycas revoluta

Cycas revoluta


King Sago Palm, Fern Palm, Sago Palm




Origin:  Kyushu, Japan.
Family
Cycadaceae
Genus
Cycas
Species
revoluta
Category
Tropicals
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
10a - 10b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cold season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H2
Temperature (°C)
1 - 5
Temperature (°F)
34 -40
Height
1 - 3.5 m
Spread
1 - 3 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
Long-lived tropical plant botanically closer to conifers than to palms.
Landscape
Temperate gardens as a potted plant where it is indoors during the winter months. In more tropical climates it is frequently grown as either a specimen or grouped as a landscape plant.
Cultivation
Grows best in medium to heavy, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant to some drought.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
A crown of shiny, arching, palm-like leaves sprout atop a shaggy upright trunk.
Habitat
Forest undergrowth.
Bark/Stem Description
Thick and corky bark.
Leaf Description
Bears 54 - 110 flat leaflets, arranged opposite each other along the central stem. Leaves are long, measuring 1.5 - 1.7 m in length.
Flower Description
Male and female flowers found in separate plants, in the form of cones. Male cones are terminal. Female cones are around the apex of the stem. Flowering highly variable.
Fruit Description
Bearing ellipsoid or globose smooth seeds.
Colour Description
Leaves and seeds are bright green and the bark is brown.
Texture Description
Leaves are smooth and glossy.
Notable Specimens
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida, United States of America. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, United States of America.
Propagation
Sown from seed.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
Contains alkaloids of carcinogens and also an amino-acid that causes chronic nervous disorders. Regular consumption leads to severe health problems and death. This toxicity can be removed if properly prepared, but use often means the death of the plant and it is becoming rare in the wild.
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