Cycas revoluta

🌿 Botanical Overview

• Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta
• Common Names: Sago Palm, King Sago, Japanese Sago
• Family: Cycadaceae
• Native Range: Southern Japan and Ryukyu Islands

🌼 Description

• Size: Slow-growing plant, typically 1–3 meters (3–10 ft) tall over many years
• Leaves: Feather-like (pinnate), stiff, dark green, radiating in a rosette from the trunk
• Trunk: Thick, unbranched, woody trunk covered with old leaf bases
• Reproduction: Dioecious (separate male and female plants); reproductive cones appear in the center
• Not a True Palm: Despite its appearance, it is a primitive gymnosperm, not a palm

🌍 Habitat and Growth

• Climate: Prefers warm temperate to tropical climates; tolerates brief cold spells
• Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; sensitive to overwatering
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: Very slow-growing
• Hardiness: Drought-tolerant and relatively pest-resistant; can survive light frost