Accession Count: 137
Common Name:
sago palm
Family Name:
Cycadaceae
Botanical Name:
Cycas revoluta
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Cycas revoluta is an upright, symmetrical, evergreen plant that forms a rosette of glossy green fronds on a stout, rough, woody stalk (1,2,3). The glossy, feather-like fronds, three to seven feet long, are pinnately compound with narrow, pointed leaflets that measure up to seven inches long and have margins that are revolute, or curl downward, giving the sago palm its specific epithet (2,4). It is dioecious, with
male and female cones appearing on different plants. Cones on male plants are large and upright and produce pollen; on female plants, cones are more globose and produce
reddish seeds (2,3,4).
Compound:
Cyc rev
Geographic Origin:
East Asia
Ecozone Origin:
Indomalaya
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
C. revoluta is palm-like, and commonly referred to as the sago palm, but is not related to palms, which are angiosperms (4). Instead, it is a cycad, and more closely related to conifers and other gymnosperms (2,4). Its native distribution is limited to parts of southern Japan and China (2).
Cultivation Notes:
C.revoluta can be propagated from seeds, or from offshoots on mature plants (1,2). It can be grown in the ground in warmer climates; in cooler regions, it can be grown in containers and brought inside during the winter (5). It prefers rich, well-draining soils and does well with mulching (2). C. revoluta is not very tolerant of very alkaline soils. It is relatively drought resistant, but should be watered regularly, especially during the warm season (1,4). It can be grown in filtered sun or in partial shade (1,2). If the sun is too strong (especially in summer), it can bleach the leaves.Too much shade can
cause lanky growth (1,4). It should be planted in a location with an eastern exposure. The sago palm is hardy down to 20 °F or slightly colder, but can be damaged or killed below 15 °F (1,2). C. revoluta is slow-growing and long-lived. When small, it resembles a fern (1). It may grow to two to three feet in height in the first few years, but can take as many as 50 years to reach 10-15 feet (2,4). As it mature, stalks can eventually reach up to twelve inches (sometimes more) in diameter (1,2). When young, C. revoluta often produces leaves several times a year. Conversely, mature plants typically produce leaves only once a year (2). The sago palm requires little maintenance (1).
Because they produce pollen, male plants are usually more allergenic than
female ones (4).
Ethnobotany:
In Japan, the stem pith of the Cycas revoluta has been used as a starch
substitute during times of famine (4,5). The pith, however, must be carefully prepared to reduce the effects of powerful neurotoxins that can paralyze or kill humans (and pets) if ingested in large quantities in a raw, unprocessed state (4). Seeds are also poisonous to humans and animals (4). In a landscape, C. revoluta can be planted poolside, in rock gardens, or in containers.
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Color:
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
