SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 13576.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "13576" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

sago palm

Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta

Family: Cycadaceae

Category: Gymnosperm

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Sago Palm: A Prehistoric Beauty

The sago palm, scientifically known as Cycas revoluta, is a popular ornamental plant admired for its resemblance to palm trees and its prehistoric lineage.

Considerations for Pets

  • Sago palms are poisonous to both pets and humans.
  • All parts of the sago palm are toxic, but the seeds (nuts) are the most dangerous.
  • The Pet Poison Helpline classifies the Sago Palm as severely toxic to dogs.

Considerations for Children

  • Sago palms are poisonous to both pets and humans.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta
  • Common Names: Sago Palm, King Sago, Sago Cycad, Japanese Sago Palm, Sotetsu (Japanese: ??)
  • Family: Cycadaceae (Cycad family)
  • Also referred to as Cycas spp. and sometimes confused with the zamia species.

Distribution and Habitat

  • In the wild, Cycas revoluta is native to a few islands within the Japanese archipelago.
  • It is now the most commonly cultivated cycad worldwide.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Sago palms are evergreen plants, resembling miniature palms.
  • They are slow-growing plants, often taking 5 or more years to show significant growth.
  • They produce a whorl of dark green, feather-like fronds.
  • The species name revoluta refers to the leaflets, which curl under.
  • Male sago palms produce a fast-growing vertical cone.
  • Female sago palms produce what looks like a round case full of pink eggs, where the fruit emerges.

Quirky Facts

  • Despite its common name, the sago palm is not a true palm tree. It is a cycad, more closely related to evergreen conifers.
  • Cycads, including the sago palm, are ancient plants that dominated the landscape during the Mesozoic era.

Additional Information

  • Sago palms prefer well-drained soil and are susceptible to overwatering.
  • They can be propagated from pups, also known as offsets or offshoots.
  • The sago palm has two popular varieties referred to as "king" or "queen" sago.