Plant Profile: Cycas revoluta

Taxonomy: Cycas revoluta

Names

Cycad, Sago Palm

  • Photo of Cycas revoluta (Cycas revolutas)

Phonetic Spelling:SY-kas reh-vol-OO-tah

Genus:Cycas

Species:revoluta

Family:Cycadaceae

This plant is an evergreen species resembling a palm. Its leaves are glossy green and divided into one pinnate structure, featuring narrow leaflets with a sunken midrib and downward-rolled edges. The pollen cone stands tall and prominent. Seeds are found on loosely arranged leaves surrounding the stem, each resembling a large, plum-like shape and exhibiting a pale yellow-tan color. It demonstrates moderate tolerance to salt.

Commonly found as a houseplant or in interior landscapes, it is also cultivated as a perennial in warm coastal regions and can be used as a container plant in cooler climates.

Identification Tips:

This tropical gymnosperm can grow up to 11.5 feet and has a rigid, palm-like appearance.

It grows very slowly and is often utilized as a specimen plant.

The plant thrives in medium light conditions, prefers slightly moist soil, and requires low humidity; however, it may encounter pest issues.

Cycas revoluta Feature Summary

Cycas revoluta Image Gallery

Tags

#poisonous
#salt tolerant
#fantz
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses

Similar Plants

Cycas revoluta is often confused with:

Cycas revoluta Feature Summary

Attributes
Japan (Kyushu) to Nansei-shoto
Pith contains an edible starch that can be processed into flour
Fruit
Seeds on loosely arranged leaves around the stem, each seed large, plum-like, pale yellow-tan
Gold/Yellow
Cream/Tan
Flowers
No flowers; pollen cone is large and erect
Insignificant
Leaves
1-pinnately divided, glossy green, the leaflets narrow with a sunken midrib and the margins rolled downward. Pinnate, in terminal whorls, stiff and glossy, to 5'; pinnae linear-lanceolate, semi-rigid, held densely in 45-60 degree angle to rachis, incurved, revolute, shining dark green above, paler and minutely pubescent beneath; midvein sunken, yellow-green; petiole tomentose at base.
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Linear
Lanceolate
Stem
Usually unbranched, scarred by leaf bases.
Poisonous to Humans
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, seizures. Attractive to pets who can also be poisoned.
Glycosides and an amino acid BMAA
Seeds
Leaves
Whole Plant Traits
Poisonous
Landscape
Container
Houseplants
Coastal
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Cycas revoluta Attributes

Cycas revoluta: Country Or Region Of Origin

Japan (Kyushu) to Nansei-shoto

Cycas revoluta: Edibility

Pith contains an edible starch that can be processed into flour

Cycas revoluta Fruit

Cycas revoluta: Fruit Description

Seeds on loosely arranged leaves around the stem, each seed large, plum-like, pale yellow-tan

Cycas revoluta: Fruit Color

grass
Cream/Tan
grass
Gold/Yellow

Cycas revoluta Flowers

Cycas revoluta: Flower Description

No flowers; pollen cone is large and erect

Cycas revoluta: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Insignificant

Cycas revoluta Leaves

Cycas revoluta: Leaf Description

1-pinnately divided, glossy green, the leaflets narrow with a sunken midrib and the margins rolled downward. Pinnate, in terminal whorls, stiff and glossy, to 5'; pinnae linear-lanceolate, semi-rigid, held densely in 45-60 degree angle to rachis, incurved, revolute, shining dark green above, paler and minutely pubescent beneath; midvein sunken, yellow-green; petiole tomentose at base.

Cycas revoluta: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Cycas revoluta: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Cycas revoluta: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Cycas revoluta: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Cycas revoluta: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Cycas revoluta Stem

Cycas revoluta: Stem Description

Usually unbranched, scarred by leaf bases.

Cycas revoluta: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Cycas revoluta Poisonous to Humans

Cycas revoluta: Poison Symptoms

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, seizures. Attractive to pets who can also be poisoned.

Cycas revoluta: Poison Toxic Principle

Glycosides and an amino acid BMAA

Cycas revoluta: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Cycas revoluta: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Cycas revoluta: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Cycas revoluta Whole Plant Traits

Cycas revoluta: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Cycas revoluta Landscape

Cycas revoluta: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Cycas revoluta: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Cycas revoluta: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy