Sago palm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Fern Palm
• Sago Palm
• sago cycas
• sotesu-nut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cycas miquelii
• Cycas aurea
• Epicycas miquelii
• Cycas taitungensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Cycadidae. Within the order Cycadales and the family Cycadaceae, it is classified under the genus Cycas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Atlantic, its presence is noted within the Macaronesian islands of the Azores. Moving toward the Asian continent, it is found throughout Southeast China. Its range extends significantly across Eastern Asia, specifically inhabiting the islands of Japan and the Nansei-shotō archipelago. Finally, the species is also naturally distributed within the coastal areas of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cycas revoluta is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse vertical gradient, spanning an elevational range from 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Typically found in subtropical and tropical environments, this species prefers well-drained, often rocky or sandy soils where it can establish itself in coastal areas or mountainous slopes. It is highly adapted to varying microclimates within this altitudinal span, demonstrating resilience to both humid maritime conditions at sea level and the cooler, more temperate conditions found at higher elevations. Its growth patterns are closely tied to light availability and seasonal moisture cycles, often occupying niches in forest edges or rocky outcrops where it can access sufficient sunlight while maintaining stability in its specific topographical strata.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cycas revoluta is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist and grow steadily over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic structures well above the ground, often developing into a robust, tree-like form with a prominent trunk. Its growth habit is specifically classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specialized structural development. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green across different seasons rather than shedding leaves annually.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cycas revoluta is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a tree and a shrub, depending on its developmental stage and environment. This plant is a terrestrial, self-supporting species that functions independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average height of approximately 3.5 m. Its structural composition is distinctly woody, providing the necessary stability for its self-supporting habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

3.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cycas revoluta is characterized by a specialized metabolic and structural framework designed for resilience. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy, a fundamental process that drives its growth and development. Its foliage is prominent, featuring leaves that vary significantly in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 50 cm to a maximum of 150 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses a vital symbiotic capability as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing specialized coralloid roots to facilitate the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen, which supports its nutritional requirements in diverse soil environments.

Leaf length max:

150 cm

Leaf length min:

50 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cycas revoluta is characterized by a specialized biological process where self-fertilization is notably absent, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. This plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The resulting seeds exhibit significant morphological variation; they possess a mean seed mass of approximately 8.212333333 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 4.343 g to a maximum of 10.526 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seeds can reach a maximum length of 25 mm and a maximum width of 20 mm.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Seed length max:

25 mm

Seed mass max:

10.526 g

Seed mass mean:

8.212333333 g

Seed mass min:

4.343 g

Seed width max:

20 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cycas revoluta has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Cycas revoluta has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Behenic acid, CYCASIN, Cryptoxanthin, FAT, Hexadecenoic acid.

Behenic acid

1. Dr. Duke

CYCASIN

1. Dr. Duke

Cryptoxanthin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Hexadecenoic acid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Macrozamin

1. Dr. Duke

Neocycasin A

1. Dr. Duke

Neocycasin B

1. Dr. Duke

SOTETSUFLAVONE

1. Dr. Duke

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cycas revoluta has 89 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Absorbent, Acetylcholinergic, Allergenic, Androgenic?.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaging

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarthritic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Cycas revoluta has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, lung cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations