The Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is often referred to as a “living fossil.” This native Japanese plant belongs to the cycad family, which has survived from amongst a large group of plants that dominated the earth over 100 million years ago. This striking evergreen tree is favored as an ornamental plant due to its foliage and attractive growth habit. Although it resembles a palm, it is a primitive cone-bearing plant, more closely related to conifers. It is dioecious, meaning that each plant is either male or female. Female plants produce a “flower,” while male plants produce a cone.
Sago Palms have a very slow growth rate. Young specimens are 0.5m in height, with a spread of 1m, while mature specimens grow to a height of 2m, with a spread of 1.5m. Although very slow growing, Sago Palms are extremely long-lived, with some specimens having a life span of over 200 years.
