Cycas revoluta (Sago Cycad), is a cycad native to southern Japan. Though often known by the common name of King Sago Palm, or just Sago Palm, it is not a palm at all. Cycas refers to the genus, the genus refers to a particular group of similar plants in the Cycad family and revoluta further describes the exact species of the group Cycas. The latter was given to this species because of the revolute (to curl back) nature of the leaflets; the edges roll under the leaflet.

Common Name:  King Sago Palm or Sago Palm

Botanical Name:   Cycas revoluta

Subfamily:  Cycadoideae

Plant Type:  Solitary Tree

Origin:  Japan

Zones: 8 - 11

Height:  10-20'

Rate of Growth: Very Slow

Salt Tolerance: High

Soil Requirements:  Widely adaptable

Water Requirements: High drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: High

Leaves:  deep semiglossy green, 50–150 cm long, feather-like rosette, crowded, stiff, narrow leaflets are 8–18 cm long and have strongly recurved or revolute edges.

Pests or diseases:  scale or mealybug

Uses:  Landscaping plant

Bad Habits: petiole or stems of the Sago Cycad are 6–10 cm long and have small protective barbs that must be avoided.

Cost:  $$ - $$$ -- Reasonable

Propagation:   Fresh seed or removal of basal offsets