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Common Name: Sago Palm

General Information

Cycas circinalis is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The plants contain alkaloids of carcinogens and also an amino-acid that causes chronic nervous disorders[]. Regular consumption of the plant leads to severe health problems and death. This toxic principle can be removed if the food is properly prepared but consumption of the plant still cannot be recommended because its use often means the death of the plant and it is becoming rare in the wild.

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Indies.

Habitat

Forest undergrowth[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects, wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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.

Edible Uses

The pith is rich in carbohydrate and a sago can be made from it[, , , ]. This use will kill the plant[].
The raw seed is poisonous, but after being cut into thin slices, dried, then steeped in water for a few minutes and dried again, it becomes edible[, , , , ]. It can be used as a sago[]. Using the seed for food cannot be recommended, however. See the notes above on toxicity.
The very young leaves are edible[].
The plant yields a gum[, , ]. No further details are given.

Medicinal

The pollen is narcotic[].
The bark and the seeds are ground to a paste with oil and used as a poultice on sores and swellings[].
The juice of tender leaves is useful in the treatment of flatulence and vomiting[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe, 2cm deep in individual pots which are then sealed in plastic bags to keep them moist until germination takes place. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 25°c[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then treat as above.
Division of suckers in the spring[].