There has been considerable confusion in the past between this species and Cycas rumphii Miq. A recent treatment ('The Genus Cycas (Cycadaceae) in Indonesia' Lindstrom A.J. Et al, Telopea 12(3) 385 - 418 2009[]) has proposed that Cycas circinalis is restricted to southwest India, whilst Cycas rumphii is a found in Indonesia and New Guinea. This treatment seems to have been accepted. Much of the old literature on the uses of these species is in the name of Cycas circinalis, and it can be impossible to tell which species is actually being referred to if the plants range is not given. However, it is quite likely that the two species have virtually identical uses[].

Common Name: Sago Palm

General Information

Cycas circinalis is a medium sized suckering cycad, growing 3 - 5 metres tall, exceptionally to 10 metres. A rather palm-like appearance, it produces one or more, usually unbranched stems around 27 - 43cm in diameter, topped with a crown of large, bright green, glossy leaves 150 - 250cm long[, , ]. Usually evergreen, the plant can lose its leaves in extremely dry seasons[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials, and is sometimes sold in local markets[]. The pith in the stem is often harvested from the wild and occasionally from cultivated plants. It is used as a food source in its native range, though recent research has shown that this is a potentially dangerous practice since the pith 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 plant is also grown as an ornamental.
Populations of this species are declining. Land clearing is thought to have destroyed more than 50% of its original habitat, whilst harvesting the leaves for the urban floricultural market may also have had an impact. The leaves and pith of stem have medicinal properties, large and old specimens are ruthlessly hacked down for the extraction of the pith. The seeds are harvested and used for food as a regular part of the diet. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[].

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.
When fresh the seeds are so poisonous that the water in which they are steeped is fatal to chickens if drunk by them[]. However, when they are split and soaked in several changes of water, the poison is released from the seeds and they are eaten

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southwest India.

Habitat

Fairly dense, seasonally dry, scrubby woodlands in hilly areas. Also found in rocky areas (dried stream bed and in taller moist forests. An adaptable species, found from rocky hill outcrops to coastal habitats at sea level[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects, wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cycas circinalis is able to succeed in the hot tropics and subtropics, growing best in areas with a distinct wet/dry seasonality[]. Plants are tolerant of light frost[].
Prefers a sunny position, but also succeeds in light shade[, ]. In cultivation it requires a strong loam with sharp sand and good drainage[], but in the wild it succeeds in dry soils and in poor soils[]. Cycads will generally not grow well in clay soils unless those soils are heavily amended with sand and organic matter[]. A neutral soil (pH 7), is generally best for most species of cycads and allows the proper absorption of nutrients. A slightly acid soil is better for most cycads than a basic one[].
Plants are slow-growing[].
Species in this genus can usually be transplanted easily even when quite large. The best time for moving them is just before the beginning of a new growing season, the roots being trimmed if they are damaged and perhaps some leaves being removed. New roots should develop quickly as the season progresses[].
Species in this genus form structures known as coralloid roots. These roots branch off from the taproot or secondary roots and are distinctive in that they grow laterally or upward, forming a nodular mass at the apex. These coralloid roots occur slightly below or slightly above the soil surface and generally contain cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. These are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available as a nutrient to the plant. The ability to extract this important nutrient from the air explains how many cycad species are able to survive on almost sterile soils[, ].
A dioecious species, with individual plants producing either all male or all female cones. Therefore both male and female forms of the plant need to be grown if seed is required[]. On very rare occasions, usually when a plant has been under severe stress, it can change sex and produce either all female or all male cones[].

Edible Uses

Species in this genus are generally toxic unless the food is prepared correctly. See notes above on toxicity.

The pith is rich in carbohydrate and a sago can be made from it[, , , ].
To be suitable for the extraction of starch, the plant should not have fruited, as fruiting depletes the store of starch in the stem. Most Cycas plants are capable of yielding large amounts of starch at around 7 years of age. The best time for the extraction of starch is just before a flush of new leaves[].

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 needs to be soaked in several changes of water[]. The seed contains around 20 - 30% of starch [], and can be used as a sago substitute[, ]. The subglobose seeds are 25 - 38cm long[].
Using the seed for food cannot be recommended, however. See the notes above on toxicity.

The very young leaves are edible[]. When around 30 - 40cm long, the young, not yet quite unfolded, succulent leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, ].

The plant yields a gum[, , ]. The gum resembles tragacanth (obtained from Astragalus gummifer)[].
Tragacanth is a high quality gum that is used as a thickener in confections, salad dressings, sauces etc[, , , , , ]. It is an approved additive to food and has the E number E413[].

Medicinal

The pollen is narcotic[].
The male cone scales are commonly sold for use as an anodyne in bazaars in India[].

The bark and the seeds are ground to a paste with oil and used as a poultice on sores, cuts, wounds, ulcers and swellings[, ].

The mucilaginous terminal buds, crushed in rice water or in water holding in suspension fine particles of clay, is used in the dressing of ulcerated wounds, swollen glands, and boils[].
The juice of tender leaves is useful in the treatment of flatulence and vomiting[].
A decoction of the leaves is drunk to soothe cough[].

A gum obtained from the plant has been used medicinally, particularly as an agent that is said to produce rapid suppuration when applied to malignant ulcers. The gum also has the repute of being a good antidote for snake and insect bites[].

Other Uses

A gum exudes through wounds in the plant, especially from the megasporophylls, stems and leaves[]. It is used medicinally and as an adhesive[].
The gum commences flowing soon after the damage is made, it is somewhat like toothpaste at first, but soon fuses into a mass, becoming mucilaginous and transparent, though later hardening and becoming light brown. When placed in water, Cycas gum begins to swell almost immediately. By the end of several days, it expands to many times its original size and becomes so colourless and transparent that it cannot be seen in water but must be felt for with a rod[]. Cycas gum has been likened in its properties to that of Sterculia setigera[]
The gum is also said to resemble tragacanth gum (obtained from Astragalus gummifer)[]. Tragacanth has a wide range of uses including as a thickening agent in preparing dyes for calico printing, textile dyes and for dressing fabrics, it is also a thickener in making glues, water colours, ink (where it supplies a gloss), it is a binding agent in paper making, a culture medium in laboratories etc[, ].

Surface fibres from the leaves have been made into cloth[].

The fruits are strung together to make children's toys or rattles[].
The dry, stony seedcoats are sometimes used as playthings or whistles[].
Empty seedcases are used as snuff boxes[].

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[].