This is a genus of 113 species of palm-like cycads in the Cycadineae family. They are native to equatorial regions of Asia, Africa, India, Australia, South America and some Pacific islands. Some of these will grow as trees up to 40 feet tall. Some species are cultivated as house plants and some can be grown as ornamentals in warmer regions. The leaves uncoil similar to ferms and are in a whorled arrangement at the top of the trunk. There are separate male and female plants with the male plants producing pollen cones. What distinguishes this genus from other cycads is that the female plants do not produce cones. Instead, they have a set of modified leaves that bear the seeds along their margins. These plants grow in a variety of conditions from fertile to rocky and even salty soils in full sun to part shade. Some will grow in swampy areas and others will be found in grasslands and forests. They are generally very long-lived and slow-growing. The sago palm is the most popular species grown in the southeast as a specimen. See additional Cycas images at Juniper Level Botanical Garden Hardy Cycads Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale and mealybugs can be a problem. Overwatering can cause root rot for some species.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Rough
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large compound leaves unfurl at the top of the stem. They are generally stiff and leathery and have a palm-like appearance. Leaflets can be alternate or opposite with either entire or toothed margins. Some have spines.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Female plants produce seeds on a modified leaf-type structure. Seeds are orangish in color. The male cone can be large and ornamental.
Stem detail
A fibrous stem of various heights and widths. Usually unbranched. The diameter can get quite large on some.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Seeds; Stems
Edibility
The stems are a source of sago, a food starch. Some have edible seeds.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#showy leaves #problem for dogs #showy fruits #problem for cats #specimen #tropical feel #palm-like #poisonous #tropical evergreen #spines #problem for children #evergreen #houseplant #container plant
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Deer; Drought
Poison severity
High
Poison parts
Bark; Fruits; Leaves; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
Ingestion of any part of the plants may cause permanent internal damage or death. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, and liver failure. Pets are attracted to this plant. Pet symptoms of poisoning include nosebleeds, bruising, and blood in stools.
Toxic principle
All parts of this plant contain the toxin cycasin, but the seeds have the highest concentration.
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
High severity poison; parts: Bark; Fruits; Leaves; Seeds; Stems