Systematics

Description

Distribution & Habitat

Culture

Propagation

Uses

References

Scientific Name:

Cycas revoluta

 

 

Common Names:

King Sago Palm, Sago Palm, Sotetsu (Japanese)

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Cycadophyta

Class: Cycadopsida

Order: Cycadales

Family: Cycadaceae

 

---

Reference for Systematics: http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/acc_num/198500298.html

Description

Cycas revoluta is a low growing, dioecious, palm-like tree characterized by a short, rugged trunk topped with whorled, stiff and feather-like leaves arranged circularly around the trunk, which can range in diameter from 1 to 12 inches. The usually single trunk can sometimes give rise to smaller offshoots or "pups," from which new plants can be grown. Leaves are keeled and can grow up to 36 inches (3 feet) long and are comprised of very dark and glossy green leaflets, which can be up to 4 inches in length and exhibit strongly recurved or revolute margins. Female plants produce tightly packed seed heads that are covered by tiny whitish leaves while males produce pineapple-shaped cones. Seeds look like brownish disks with a diameter of about 1 1/4 inches and are poisonous. Like all cycads, this species is an allie of the gymnosperms. Its habitat home is tropical mesic.

Reference for Description: http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu?acc_num/198500298.html www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos www.plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?name=Cycas+revoluta

Distribution and Habitat

Nansei and Ryuku Islands, Japan. Reported natural occurrences in the coastal Fukien Province of South China have not been substantiated but are supported by strong circumstantial evidence.

Reference for Distribution and Habitat: www.plantapalm.com/vce/species/cycas_revoluta http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?name=Cycas+revoluta

 Cultural Information

Soil · Well drained soil rich in humus is best, but C. revoluta shows stunning adaptability in being able to grow in many kinds of soil. Swampy soil should be avoided, as this plant prefers drier soils to those that are wet.

Water requirement · Plants in full sun should be watered weekly while those grown in low light or cooler temperatures need only be watered every few weeks. Plants should be watered only when dry. They should never be kept contionuously wet. The leaves of plants that are over-watered may turn yellow. Such leaves should be removed.

Light · Full sunlight is ideal, but this species can grow in outdoor shade or even indoors as long as bright light or a few hours of morning or afternoon sun is available.
Humidity · Dry to wet
Temperature · 15-110°F (-11-42°C)
Fertilizer · For plants growing in partial light, fertilizer can be given as indicated on a container. Those plants growing in low light should receive only a 1/4 of the indicated amount. The leaves of plants that are over-fertilized may turn yellow, as is sometimes the case with those that are over-watered. . Such leaves should be removed.

---

Reference for Cultural Information: www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos

Propagation Methods

 

Propagation can be done using seeds or by removing offshoots frum the trunk. Seeds develop over the summer months and are ready to be removed in January or February. They should be soaked in water for several days. Before being planted (or stored in a dry cool area until the beginning of spring), the outer seed skin should be removed. Individual seeds should be planted sideways, with only the top edge exposed, in moist but well drained soil. Seeds will usually germinate in 3-9 months yet up to 3 years may be required for bulbs to reach a mere 1 inch diameter!

Trunk offshoots or "pups" should be removed in early spring, late fall or winter by using a hand towel to snap small ones from the trunk side or by using a sharp-shooter shovel to dig and gently remove larger ones from the plant's base. After removing all the pup's leaves and roots, it should be set aside to dry for a week. Then it can be planted in well drained soil or a sandy mixture so that half the ball or trunk is below soil level. It should be watered thoroughly but the soil should be allowed to become dry beforehand. Pups should be grown in either outdoor areas of partial light or indoor areas of bright light. The first leaves should appear several months later at which time a mild dose of fertilizer should be administered. New plants should be allowed to develop an extensive root system before a repotting or landscape planting is attempted.

---

References for Propagation Methods: www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos

Uses/Fun Facts

 

As one of the most primitive living seed plants, this cycad is used primarily as an ornamental plant. Indeed, its unique appearance, unusual durability and origins, which go back to the ancient flora of the early Mesozoic era (200 million years ago), have made it one of the most popular indoor/outdoor ornamentals to come from the Far East. This species is extremely long-lived. Encephalartos altensteinii, a relative of C. revoluta is, at nearly 230 years old, possibly the "oldest pot plant" in the world. It was collected in South Africa in the early 1770s and brought to England in 1775. It is 16 feet from the base of the stem to the growing point and is on display at the Royal Botanic Garden. No medicinal puposes for C. revoluta are known. 

---

References for Uses and Fun Facts: www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos

General References

www.cycad.org

www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/seedplants/cycadophyta.cycads.html http://mgonline.com/palms/html

www.plantapalm.com/vce/vce_index.htmwww.floridata.com

 

---

Image References:

URL for images starting from the top of the page

www.pascoa.org.au/cycads/Cycas/farm/index.html

www.rhapisgardens.com.catalog/sago-bonsai.htm

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?name=Cycas+revoluta

www.rhapisgardens.com/catalog/sago-list.htm

www.dipbot.unict/orto/0063-1.html

http://glasshouseworks.com/pict12.html

www.dipbot.unict.it/sistematica/Cycas_re.html

 

This page was developed by:

J. Paul Pepper

W&J Class of 2001

 

last revised: 01 May 2001