Cycas circinalis
(L.) Laut. & Sch.
Queen sago, Sago cycad
(c) T R Shankar Raman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by T R Shankar Raman
(c) Madhushri Mudke, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Madhushri Mudke
(c) Ansil B.R., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ansil B.R.
What to Eat
Edible parts: Seeds, Caution, Leaves, Pith, Shoots
The pith of Cycas circinalis is rich in carbohydrate and can be processed into sago, though doing so kills the plant. The raw seed is poisonous, but can be made edible by slicing it thinly, drying it, steeping it in water for a few minutes, and drying it again — it can then be used as a sago. Using the seed for food is not recommended given its toxicity. The very young leaves are also edible. The plant yields a gum, though no further details are given.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It occurs locally and near the sea. It is widely distributed in the Philippines. They occur in lowland areas in grassland and forest. They grow from sea level to 700 m altitude. They are more common in places with a dry seasonal climate. In India they grow up to 1000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, East Africa, Fiji, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yap,
How to Identify
A palm like plant. The trunk is covered with the bases of the old leaves. The leaves have leathery leaflets with a distinct midrib. The leaves are something like feathers with a series of leaflets on each side of the leaf stalk. The leaves are in a cluster at the top of the trunk. A cone of thick leaves with large seeds is produced at the top. There are separate male and female plants. The seeds are 3-4 cm across with a thin fleshy covering and a starchy centre.
How to Grow
Requires a strong loam with sharp sand and good drainage. Succeeds in dry soils. Requires a sunny position. This species is not fully hardy in Britain and requires greenhouse or conservatory protection over the winter, but it can be grown outdoors in the summer. Plants are slow-growing. This plant is often used as a food source in its native range but recent research has shown that it can cause chronic nervous disorders if it is not treated properly. Overall its use is not to be recommended, especially since it is becoming rare in the wild. The plants produce special upward growing roots where nitrogen is produced in symbiosis with algae. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation: Sow seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe, 2cm deep in individual pots sealed in plastic bags to maintain moisture until germination. Germination takes 1–3 months at 25°C. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water before sowing the same way. The plant can also be propagated by dividing suckers in spring.
Medicinal Uses
The pollen is narcotic. The bark and seeds can be ground into a paste with oil and applied as a poultice on sores and swellings. The juice of tender leaves is useful in treating flatulence and vomiting.
Other Uses
The plant yields a gum. It is also a nitrogen fixer.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Cycas circinalis, also known as the queen sago, is a species of cycad known in the wild only from southern India. Cycas circinalis is the only gymnosperm species found among native Sri Lankan flora.
Production
It is a slow growing plant. Plants for sago need to be 7 years old and not to have flowered.
Notes
There are about 20-40 Cycas species. Some of these in Papua New Guinea are now classified as Cycas apoa.
Names & Synonyms
Bitogo, Canningay, Chin-mondaing, Enthu, Fadang, Faho, Indapana, Intalappana, Jangli-madan-mast-ka-phul, Kamkshi, Limel, Logologo, Madanagama, Madu, Mundicalu, Mwel, Mwele, Mol, Ni-baam, Oruguna, Pakis haji, Pakis raja, Pitogo, Te bam, Varaguna
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