Cycas revoluta Thumb.

Common name(s): Cycad Palm, Sago Palm, King Sago, Sago Cycad, Japanese Sago Palm

Family: Cycadaceae
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark
Bark
Taken by Ken Harrington
Frond
Frond
Taken by Ken Harrington
Pinna
Pinna
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Palm / Palm Ally Properties
Origin(s)
Japan
  • Okinawa: Indigenous
  • Kyushu: Indigenous
  • Shikoku: Indigenous
  • Chugoku: Indigenous
Plant Type
Clumping, Cycad, Palm Ally
Clumping,
Cycad,
Palm Ally
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Rainforest - Sub-tropical
Rainforest - Sub-tropical
Habitat Zone(s)
Exposed Stony embankments, Garden, Hill Sides, Landscape, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Rock crevices, Understory, Well drained
Exposed Stony embankments,
Garden,
Hill Sides,
Landscape,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Rock crevices,
Understory,
Well drained
Mature Height
2.5-3m, 3-4m, 4-5m, 5-6m
2.5-3m,
3-4m,
4-5m,
5-6m
Mature Width
2-3m, 3-4m
2-3m,
3-4m
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Very Slow
Plant Shape
Shrub Like
Shrub Like
Standard Crown - Dense
Standard Crown - Dense
Shrub Like Shrub Like,
Standard Crown - Dense Standard Crown - Dense
Life Span
100-150yrs, 150-200yrs
100-150yrs,
150-200yrs
Frond Properties
Frond Colour(s) (front)
Glossy, Green Dark
Glossy,
Green Dark
Frond Colour(s) (back)
Dull, Green
Dull,
Green
Frond Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Leathery
Leathery
Glabrous Glabrous,
Leathery Leathery
Stiff
Stiff
Frond Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Leathery
Leathery
Glabrous Glabrous,
Leathery Leathery
Stiff
Stiff
Frond Length
500-600mm, 600-700mm, 700-800mm, 800-900mm, 900mm-1m, 2-2.25m
500-600mm,
600-700mm,
700-800mm,
800-900mm,
900mm-1m,
2-2.25m
Frond Aroma
None
None
Frond Shapes
Pinnate / Parapinnate
Pinnate / Parapinnate
Pinnate / Parapinnate Pinnate / Parapinnate
Frond Arrangement
Dense Crown
Dense Crown
Whorled
Whorled
Dense Crown Dense Crown,
Whorled Whorled
Trunk / Stem Properties
Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)
Brown Dark
Brown Dark
Colour(s) (Base)
Brown Dark
Brown Dark
Texture (Upper)
Bristly / Hispid
Bristly / Hispid
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Bristly / Hispid Bristly / Hispid,
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Coarse , Fibrous , Prickly
Coarse,
Fibrous,
Prickly
Texture (Base)
Bristly / Hispid
Bristly / Hispid
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Bristly / Hispid Bristly / Hispid,
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Coarse , Fibrous , Prickly
Coarse,
Fibrous,
Prickly
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Male
Flowering Time (start)
Spring Mid
Spring Mid
Flowering Time (end)
Summer Mid
Summer Mid
Colour(s)
Cream-orange
Cream-orange
Flower Shape(s)
Strobilus - Male
Strobilus - Male
Strobilus - Male Strobilus - Male
Aroma(s)
Sweet-Slight
Sweet-Slight
Arrangements
Male Inflorescence Cone
Male Inflorescence Cone
Male Inflorescence Cone Male Inflorescence Cone
Pollinator(s)
Insects, Wind
Insects,
Wind
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Gender: Female
Flowering Time (start)
Spring Mid
Spring Mid
Flowering Time (end)
Summer Mid
Summer Mid
Flower Shape(s)
Megasporophyll - Female
Megasporophyll - Female
Megasporophyll - Female Megasporophyll - Female
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangements
Female Inflorescence Cone
Female Inflorescence Cone
Female Inflorescence Cone Female Inflorescence Cone
Pollinator(s)
Insects, Wind
Insects,
Wind
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Cone Simple
Cone Simple
Cone Simple Cone Simple
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid
Length
250-300mm
250-300mm
Aroma
Fruity-Slight
Fruity-Slight
Root Properties
Type
Collaroid Root
Collaroid Root
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Collaroid Root Collaroid Root,
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter, Peaty
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter,
Peaty
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist
Fertile , Deep
Fertile,
Deep
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
None
None
Bird Attraction
None
None
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
Poor
Poor
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Smog Tolerance
Good
Good
Snow Tolerance
Light
Light
Landscape Use
Very Good
Very Good
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Container, Fire Resistant, Floral Art, Foliage-Interesting, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Indoors, Garden-Japanese, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Poisonous, Pool Side, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Specimen, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Cockatoo's, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares
Garden-Container,
Fire Resistant,
Floral Art,
Foliage-Interesting,
Garden-Courtyard,
Garden-Foliage,
Garden-Indoors,
Garden-Japanese,
Garden-Mediterranean,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Poisonous,
Pool Side,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Shady Moist,
Specimen,
Sunny Dry,
Sunny Moist,
Tolerant-Cockatoo's,
Tolerant-Deer,
Tolerant-Kangaroo's,
Tolerant-Parrot's,
Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

General Notes

A very hardy and popular Cyad for parks and gardens around the world, adaptable to a range of climates. It does require a male and female plant for it to set seed but it doesn't normally flower every year, it however send out new fronds every spring.

The pith contains edible starch, used for making sago, after a lot of careful prepartion to leach out the toxins. 

C. revoluta is Poisonous to animals and humans

It has gained the Royal Horticultural society's Award of Garden Merit 2017