Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Gymnosperms (Non-Flowering Seed Plants) (Cycad) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Cycad |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, central Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and southern China |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a medium to large cycad with a above ground trunk, up to 13 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | There are 30 – 40 mature leaves in each crown. Leaves are erect, arching (1.5 – 2.4 m long) and feather-like. Each leaf comprises of 180 – 312 leathery leaflets, where the leaflets near the base are reduced into thorns (about 0.2 cm long). Petiole is 30 – 80 cm long where the margin is lined with thorns. Cataphylls are dimorphic, usually 5 – 8 cm long, and covered with grey to pale orange wool. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Male cone is narrowly ovoid (30 – 75 cm long and 16 – 22 cm wide), variable in colour (brown, yellow or green) and hairy. Female cone is flattened globose (10 – 25 cm diameter) with sporophyll (22 – 30 cm long) covered in grey hairs, round apical lobe (11 – 18 cm long and 10 – 13 cm wide) and spines covering the margins. Seeds are ovoid ( 4 – 4.5 cm long and 3.3 – 4.5 cm wide) with yellow seed coat. |
| Habitat | It is found in hilly and mountainous forest, 600 – 1200 m altitude. |
| Etymology | Cycas, came from the word koikas in Greek, which is referred to as a kind of palm. Specific epithet pectinata means spreading like teeth of a comb, which refers to the lateral teeth on the apical lobe of the female sporophylls. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
References
| References | Jones, D.L. 2002. Cycads of the World. Ancient Plants in Today's Landscape. 2nd Edition. United States of America: Smithsonian Institution Press. 456 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1284 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2577 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
