Practical
Plants

Cycas circinalis

Sago Palm

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cycas
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
3.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects, Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The plants contain alkaloids of carcinogens and also an amino-acid that causes chronic nervous disorders[9]. Regular consumption of the plant leads to severe health problems and death. This toxic principle can be removed if the food is properly prepared but consumption of the plant still cannot be recommended because its use often means the death of the plant and it is becoming rare in the wild.

Edible uses

The pith is rich in carbohydrate and a sago can be made from it[8][11][12][6]. This use will kill the plant[K]. The raw seed is poisonous, but after being cut into thin slices, dried, then steeped in water for a few minutes and dried again, it becomes edible[8][12][13][2][6]. It can be used as a sago[8]. Using the seed for food cannot be recommended, however. See the notes above on toxicity. The very young leaves are edible[6]. The plant yields a gum[14][2][4]. No further details are given.

Product or use
Gum
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The pollen is narcotic[10]. The bark and the seeds are ground to a paste with oil and used as a poultice on sores and swellings[10]. The juice of tender leaves is useful in the treatment of flatulence and vomiting[10].

Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
E. Indies.
Habitat
Forest undergrowth[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe, 2cm deep in individual pots which are then sealed in plastic bags to keep them moist until germination takes place. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 25°c[3]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then treat as above. Division of suckers in the spring[7].

Cultivation

Requires a strong loam with sharp sand and good drainage[1]. Succeeds in dry soils. Requires a sunny position[7]. This species is not fully hardy in Britain and requires greenhouse or conservatory protection over the winter, but it can be grown outdoors in the summer[1]. Plants are slow-growing[7]. This plant is often used as a food source in its native range but recent research has shown that it can cause chronic nervous disorders if it is not treated properly. Overall its use is not to be recommended, especially since it is becoming rare in the wild[9]. The plants produce special upward growing roots where nitrogen is produced in symbiosis with algae[5]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  13. Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber 1948-00-00

    ↩

  14. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩

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