Family: Cycadaceae
Species: Cycas revoluta Thunb.
Common name: Dwarf palm, “Sago cicada,” or “Japanese palm sucker”
Etymology
The genus Cycas comes from ancient Greek and means “cycle” or “circle,” referring to the rounded shape of the leaves in many cycad species. “Revoluta” refers to the characteristic leaf tips of this species, which curl at the apex.
Description
This is an evergreen perennial plant. The bright green leaves, up to 1.5 metres long, are pinnate, slightly arched, glossy, pointed, and arranged in a spiral at the top of the stem. The individual leaflets are rigid and narrow, ranging from 8–18 cm in length; those closest to the stem transform into thorns. The young leaves appear in spring in numerous clusters at the stem apex; when they first emerge, they are curled and covered in thick down, then after a few days, they unfurl and quickly resemble mature leaves.
The stem can reach about 20 cm in diameter and grows very slowly.
C. revoluta is a Gymnosperm, similar to conifers. Like most cycads, it is dioecious: male and female cones appear on separate plants. In C. revoluta, pollination also occurs through insects.
Habitat
Native to Japan.
Cycads, in general, are found in Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Properties and Uses
The central part of the trunk is used to prepare sago, a special flour for culinary purposes.
C. revoluta is among the most commonly used species for ornamental planting.
Notes and Curiosities
This very ancient plant is also one of the longest-lived: its origins predate the dinosaurs, and its traits have remained unchanged. Fossil evidence suggests it appeared around 250 million years ago.
Its appearance is reminiscent of a palm tree due to its sparsely branched trunk and leaf arrangement.
Cycads were much more abundant and diverse in geological times than they are now, forming a key part of ancient forests and plant communities. Over the millennia, many cycad species have become extinct, but a few have survived.
In the Heller garden, C. revoluta stands out as both tough and resilient. Its elegant shape and glossy, bright green leaves make it highly prized for its architectural beauty.