Cycas revoluta
- Phonetic Spelling
- SY-kas reh-vol-OO-tah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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An evergreen, palm-like plant. The leaves are 1-pinnately divided, glossy green, the leaflets narrow with a sunken midrib and the margins rolled downward. The pollen cone is large and erect. The seeds hang on loosely arranged leaves around the stem, each seed large, plum-like, and a pale yellow-tan. Moderately salt tolerant.
Found in: Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated perennial in warm, coastal areas, as container plant in cool areas
Quick ID Hints:
- Stiff, pinnate leaves; petiole tomentose at base
- Pinnae held at 45-60 degree angle to rachis
- Leaflets have prominent mid veins
Tropical gymnosperm to 11.5', stiff and palm-like.
Very slow-growing; used as specimen plant.
Prefers medium light, slightly moist soil and low relative humidity; pest problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cycas
- Species:
- revoluta
- Family:
- Cycadaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan (Kyushu) to Nansei-shoto
- Edibility:
- Pith contains an edible starch that can be processed into flour
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds on loosely arranged leaves around the stem, each seed large, plum-like, pale yellow-tan
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- Flower Description:
- No flowers; pollen cone is large and erect
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- 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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Usually unbranched, scarred by leaf bases.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, seizures. Attractive to pets who can also be poisoned.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycosides and an amino acid BMAA
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
