Psyched About Cycads

GARDENER'S CORNER

Psyched About Cycads

By Donovan Raymond, Horticulture Technician II

King Sagos, Cycas revoluta. Also called Sago palms. This female plant is located on the driveway into the Zoo.

Cycads are some of the oldest, and most beautiful, plants on earth. They are also some of the most endangered.

The “Cardboard palm” (Zamia furfuracea)

Cycads are some of the oldest, and most beautiful, plants on earth. They are also some of the most endangered. Sometimes referred to as “living fossils,” Cycads have been around for more than 200 million years, although their fossil record shows that they were in greater numbers and even more diverse before the Jurassic period. Individual specimens can live over a thousand years, and they grow very slowly, with some gaining only an inch in trunk height per decade. Cycads also have the unique ability to self correct for depth, meaning if they are buried too deep— typically a death sentence for most other plants—the Cycad

can pull itself up to its correct position relative to the ground. This adaptation may be the key to the Cycad’s longevity and ability to survive the mass extinction events that wiped out the dinosaurs. But today, Cycads are threatened by human-caused habitat destruction along with illegal collection. Cycads are diecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female, so separation prevents reproduction. It is extremely difficult for such slow-growing plants to bounce back from these disturbances. While their numbers are declining, there are currently around 300 species of Cycads worldwide.

Duck nesting under a Coontie plant, Zamia integrifolia. She was located near the Zoo's Administration building. She and her ducklings moved from that spot on April 25, 2022.

Coontie plant, Zamia integrifolia. Located at one the driveway entering the Zoo.

Mexican fern palm, Dioon edule. The cone of a female is pictured above.

Mexican fern palm, Dioon edule. The cone of a female is pictured above.

“…Cycads are threatened by human-caused habitat destruction along with illegal collection.”

Most Floridians are familiar with King Sagos, (Cycas revoluta) often called “Sago palms,” although Cycads are not palms at all, but are more closely related to pine trees. Sagos are quite prevalent in Florida landscapes, but their popularity has declined in recent years due to scale insect infestation, which can be alleviated by spreading coffee grounds around their base.

Another common Cycad is Florida’s own “Coontie plant” (Zamia integrifolia), the only Cycad native to North America. Coonties played a vital role for early Floridians: the Tequesta and Seminoles used to grind up the stems to make an edible starch called “arrowroot.” However, this can be toxic if not prepared properly. The Coontie is also the main food source for the larvae of the rare Atala butterfly. Cold hardy and drought tolerant, they were once abundant throughout the state, but are now on the Threatened Species list. Collection of Coonties from the wild is illegal.

The “Mexican fern palm” (Dioon edule) is an elegant Cycad that reaches eight to 10 feet, with slender, light green colored leaves. It is also on the verge of becoming endangered.

The “Cardboard palm” (Zamia furfuracea), also from Mexico, is already on the Endangered Species list. These are popular in South and Central Florida landscapes but may be too cold-sensitive for North Florida winters, unless kept indoors.

Some of the rarer species of Cycads are extremely threatened throughout the world due to poaching. Many are bought and sold on illegal markets to wealthy collectors in what has become a multi-million-dollar industry. Some botanical gardens have started protecting their most rare Cycad collections in cages to prevent theft. Horticulturists are pushing for the establishment of Cycad seed banks and legislation regarding trading Cycads and protection of their habitats. Without help, these ancient plants are in danger of literally being loved to extinction.