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 | Central Thailand, Laos and Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a small cycad with underground or above ground trunk, up to 1.5 m tall, with a swollen base. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Mature leaves are bright green, feather-like, erect (0.6 – 1.2 m long) and arching, with leaf tips often recurved. Each leaf comprises of 140 – 280 leaflets which are hairy, shiny green above and pale green underneath. Colour of leaflets hairs is variable and range from white, yellow, orange or brown. Petiole is 10 – 30 cm long, hairy and the margin is lined with thorns. Cataphyll is 5 – 7 cm long and densely covered with brown woolly hairs. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Male cone is narrowly oblong (10 – 24 cm long and 5 – 7.5 cm wide), with orange to brown hairs, and emits a strong unpleasant odour. Female cone is flattened globose (8 – 14 cm diameter), sporophylls are covered with brown hairs and round apical lobes are lined with 22 – 46 spines at the margin. Seed is almost round (3 – 3.7 cm long and 2.5 – 3.5 cm wide) with yellow seed coat. |
| Habitat | It is found in lowland seasonally dry forest with distinct wet and dry season. |
| Cultivation | Established plants are tolerant to drought but sensitive to disturbance, making transplanting difficult. Overwatering during dormant period may result in rot. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
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 | 1287 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2580 |
| 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. |
