Cycas thouarsii
Madagascar sago
Cycas thouarsii, commonly known as the forest cycad, is a prehistoric gymnosperm native to tropical regions. Renowned for its distinctive palm-like appearance, this resilient plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is utilized in traditional medicine for its bioactive compounds, offering potential therapeutic benefits in treating various ailments.
- Scientific name: Cycas thouarsii
- Family: Cycadaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Cycadidae, it is organized into the order Cycadales and the family Cycadaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cycas, specifically as the species Cycas thouarsii.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Cycadidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cycadales | WCVP |
| Family | Cycadaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cycas | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cycas thouarsii, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Czech, it is called cykas Thouarsův, while in Chinese, it is identified by the names 光果苏铁, 光果苏铁, and 光果苏铁 (specifically in simplified and mainland China contexts). Additionally, in Arabic, it is known as سيكاس ثوارسى.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| cs | cykas Thouarsův | Wikidata |
| zh | 光果苏铁 | Wikidata |
| arz | سيكاس ثوارسى | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 光果苏铁 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 光果苏铁 | Wikidata |
| pt | Cycas madagascariensis | Wikidata |
| ru | Мадагаскарская цикада | Wikidata |
| en | Madagascar Sago | Wikidata |
| fr | faux sagoutier | Wikidata |
| fr | Samble | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent and its surrounding waters. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Kenya and Tanzania. Moving southward, it can also be found within the South Tropical Africa region, specifically in Mozambique. The species extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the Aldabra archipelago. Additionally, its range includes the islands of the Comoros within the same oceanic region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Aldabra | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Rodrigues | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cycas thouarsii, utilizes its large, pinnately compound leaves as a primary component in various traditional medicinal practices. These robust, feather-like leaves are often harvested to prepare decoctions or infusions, which are used in different cultures to address specific ailments. Because the foliage is highly distinctive and structurally complex, it serves as a key diagnostic feature for identifying the species when gathering materials for therapeutic use.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cycas thouarsii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bilobetin.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bilobetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |