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| King Sago Palm Tree |
| Cycas
revoluta |
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 Cycas |
 Revoluta |
| Common
Names: King Sago Palm Tree, Sago Palm,
Japanese Sago Palm, Sago Cycad |
| Growth
Rate: Slow |
| Height:
To
10ft after many years |
| Spread:
3-6ft. |
| Position:
Full Sun |
| Hardiness:
To single digits; some frond damage at 15-20°F. |
| Soil:
Requires a strong loam with sharp sand and good
drainage. |
| Origin:
The Japanese islands of Ryukyu and its
neighbours.
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| Health:
The leaves are used in the treatment of cancer
and hepatoma. The seed is emmenagogue, expectorant
and tonic and is used in the treatment of
rheumatism - Ask
your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before use. |
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| The
Sago Palm is not a palm at all but a Cycad, a type of
'gymnosperm' (a group of seed-bearing plants with ovules
on the edge or blade of an open sporophyll, the
sporophylls usually arranged in cone-like structures). |
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Cycas
revoluta, one of the most primitive living
plants, are very unusual and popular
ornamentals. A rugged trunk, topped with
whorled feathery leaves has lead to the
common name ''Sago Palm'', however it is
actually related to conifer and Gingko trees - all cone bearing plants which
trace their origins back to the ancient
flora of the early Mesozoic era. Often
called ''living fossils'', Cycads have
changed very little in the last 200
million years. While various species of
Cycads can be found throughout the world,
the subtropical Cycas revoluta is native
to the Far East and has been used as a
choice container and landscape plant for
centuries.
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The
growth habit of Cycas revoluta displays an
upright trunk topped with stiff feather-like
leaves growing in a circular pattern. Rather
than continuously adding foliage, Sagos
produce a periodic flush of new leaves.
Eventually, offsets begin to grow at the
base of the specimen, and occasionally in
the crown. The addition of offsets provides
a source of new plants and many
possibilities for developing an unique
specimen. Regardless of age or size, Cycas
revoluta is one of the easiest plants to
grow, indoors or out, by beginner or
expert.
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| This
subtropical adapts to a wide range of
temperatures from -11 (dry) to 42 degrees C,
accepts full sun or bright interior light,
thrives with attention, and tolerates
neglect. In addition, Cycads are extremely
long-lived. A 220 year old specimen of
Encephalartos, a relative of Cycas revoluta,
is on display at the Royal Botanic Garden,
Kew; the restoration of the famous Palm
House required it to be temporarily
transplanted to a holding area for more than
a year; the move was successful and is an
example of the durability of these ancient
''living fossils''. |
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