# Cycad (*Cycadophyta*)

Cycads are ancient plants that have been around for millions of years. They have tough, palm-like leaves and produce cones instead of flowers. Cycads are like living fossils from the time of the dinosaurs!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Tropical and subtropical regions
- **Also known as:** Cycad Plant, Sago Palm

![Cycad](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cyca-revoluta.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyca-revoluta.jpg)

## Appearance

The Cycad has a robust, often unbranched trunk topped with a crown of stiff, leathery, dark green leaves that can resemble palms or ferns. Its ancient form and central, sometimes brightly colored, cone structures make it visually distinct.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida

## Interesting facts

- Cycads are 'living fossils,' dating back over 280 million years—before dinosaurs walked the Earth!
- Many Cycad species are either all male or all female, needing two plants to reproduce.
- Some Cycad cones can even generate their own heat, warming up to attract pollinating insects!
- They don't have flowers! Instead, Cycads produce giant cones, sometimes weighing over 40kg.

## Special abilities

- **Ancient Survival Kit:** Cycad has tough, leathery leaves and a sturdy trunk that help it endure harsh conditions like drought and fire.
- **Nitrogen Ninja:** Some Cycads host tiny bacteria in their roots, allowing them to capture nitrogen from the air to grow strong.
- **Chemical Guard:** Cycad produces powerful natural toxins that help it defend against hungry herbivores and other threats.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-1500 cm
- **Spread:** 30-500 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** High
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Cycad Weevil (*Rhopalotria furfuracea*) — This beetle helps some cycads reproduce by carrying pollen.
- **Symbiotic with:** Cycad Cyanobacterium (*Nostoc cycadae*) — These bacteria live in cycad roots, providing essential nitrogen.
- **Eats:** Atala Butterfly (*Eumaeus atala*) — Its larvae feed on specific Zamia cycad leaves, absorbing toxins.

## Traits

- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)
- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Enjoy looking at cycads from a safe distance and avoid touching them as some parts can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cycad?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Cycad?

10-1500 cm

### How wide does Cycad spread?

30-500 cm

### Is Cycad edible?

No

### Is Cycad toxic?

High

### What is Cycad's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Cycad pollinated?

Wind

### Where is Cycad usually found?

Tropical and subtropical regions

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Cycad: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cycad)