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Home , Cycad, Cycas, Cycas revoluta, Cycas rumphii, Cycas taitungensis, Dioon

10 Zululand , Holly Cycad 13 Uganda Giant Cycad, ferox Whitelock’s Cycad Encephalartos whitelockii A fairly small cycad with a subterranean trunk. This has Characterized by stiff, 14-foot- a wide distribution in coastal areas of long , this is a fast Mozambique and northern Natal, South grower. It is native to granite where summers are hot and faces and rocky slopes in Central winters are mild. It grows in Africa, and can handle below- and sparse scrub dunes. freezing temperatures.

This species produces some of the most colorful cones, Although hardy, E. whitelockii is very rare in ranging from scarlet to orange to pink. FUN FUN cultivation and is classified as Critically Endangered. FACT FACT

11 Gorongowe Cycad 14 Scaly , Count Peroffsky’s Cycad peroffskyana Mountainous ridges and slopes in Mozambique and Zimbabwe are the Native to ’s wet, forested native habitat of this cycad. Several slopes and gullies, it’s also found in subspecies with distinct different many of the country’s public gardens features have been identified in because of its beautiful growth and Africa. However, at least one of the adaptability. And unlike most , subpopulations is now extinct in its area. this one is spine-free making a garden-friendly specimen.

Cycads have populated the planet since before the This species is pollinated by a type of ; up to 500

FUN —which­ likely dined on these ! FUN have been found on a single cone! FACT FACT

Exclusive Video 12 Bushman’s River Cycad Encephalartos trispinosus

Originally from South Africa, this small, but hardy species looks best when grown in full sun. It can also withstand moderate frosts. Once believed to be a form of E. horridus, it was identified as a separate species in 1965. Young cones are a distinct Find out how we help our cycads, by visiting this link: blue-green. sd.gozoo.org/cycad

Made possible through the generosity of While its species name refers to the three sharp spines The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation on the tips of each , new emerging leaves are FUN FACT incredibly soft and velvety.

sandiegozoo.org Cycad the numbers to the plant ID signs. The tour startsMatch by Map Locator (ML) 4, continues along Front 4 Palm, King Sago 7 Golden Street past ML 6 and finishes at ML 8. revoluta

Coontie, Arrowroot Probably the most popular cycad This plant is especially valued 1 in cultivation, this plant is endemic among cycad hobbyists, but to ’s Ryukyu Islands. In its over-collection in the wild has Endemic to Florida and southeastern native habitat, it grows in extensive caused it to be designated a Georgia, this small cycad is also found colonies and is readily distinguished . Its native in , Puerto Rico, the Cayman from other Cycas species by the habitat is forests in Chiapas and Islands, and . It is listed recurved margins on its leaflets. Oaxaca, . as Near Threatened due to for housing and agriculture.

This is one of the most commonly grown cycads in the Older golden dioon plants often have reclining trunks, The Seminole Native Americans used the as a landscaping industry. It is also very adaptable to growing

FUN FUN while young plants always have “wooly” new . source of edible . This plant is also a larval host for FACT in a container. In Japan, it is grown as a bonsai plant. FACT FUN FACT the atala .

2 Palm, Queen Sago 5 Dioon, Virgin Palm 8 Palma Teosinte (Sacred Ear)

While most parts of cycads are Native to tropical and First collected in 1910, this hardy plant considered toxic to humans, the forests in Mexico. The leaves grows primarily in dry, rocky canyons seeds of this species are used are sometimes used in floral of , and has also been found by some cultures for the starch. arrangements, but the practice is in north-central Nicaragua. It‘s one However, it takes a great deal of now illegal because this species is of the most commonly grown Dioon, pounding, repeated washing, and threatened by over-collecting and and may be the most abundant cooking to make them suitable for habitat destruction. cycad in the world with an estimated the human stomach. 500,000 to 1,000,000 plants.

The seeds of this cycad float! That’s an excellent The seeds are boiled, ground, and used for tortillas, The leaflets and seeds of this species grow smaller as adaptation for a plant that in coastal habitats, tamales, and other products in Honduras. The leaves

FUN FUN you move north in its range. FUN FACT as queen sagos do. FACT FACT are used in religious celebrations.

3 Emperor Sago, Prince Sago 6 Cardboard Palm 9 Gum Palm, Giant Dioon

This is a This plant seldom grows a tall trunk One of the tallest of all cycads vigorous grower;­ some people because its contractile pull the in the Americas, with trunks believe it is the fastest growing of caudex down into the ground. Found rising to almost 50 feet. Native all cycads. Its species name comes in the coastal regions of eastern to ravines and canyons in Mexico, from its native habitat: rocky Mexico, over-collecting has taken its this endangered species is slopes of Taitung County, Taiwan. toll and this species is endangered in threatened by habitat loss and the wild. over-collecting.

This cycad was only identified as a distinct species Commonly grown in cultivation, it makes a great container It produces some of the largest cones, with a in 1994. Until that time, it was believed to be another

FUN FUN plant for the deck, patio, or indoors as a houseplant. FUN female cone easily weighing up to 55 pounds. FACT species, Cycas taiwaniana. FACT FACT 10 Zululand Cycad, Holly Leaf Cycad 13 Uganda Giant Cycad, Encephalartos ferox Whitelock’s Cycad Encephalartos whitelockii A fairly small cycad with a subterranean trunk. This species has Characterized by stiff, 14-foot- a wide distribution in coastal areas of long leaves, this plant is a fast Mozambique and northern Natal, South grower. It is native to granite Africa where summers are hot and faces and rocky slopes in Central winters are mild. It grows in evergreen Africa, and can handle below- forests and sparse scrub sand dunes. freezing temperatures.

This species produces some of the most colorful cones, Although hardy, E. whitelockii is very rare in ranging from scarlet to orange to pink. FUN FUN cultivation and is classified as Critically Endangered. FACT FACT

11 Gorongowe Cycad 14 Scaly Zamia, Encephalartos manikensis Count Peroffsky’s Cycad Mountainous ridges and slopes in Mozambique and Zimbabwe are the Native to Australia’s wet, forested native habitat of this cycad. Several slopes and gullies, it’s also found in subspecies with distinct different many of the country’s public gardens features have been identified in because of its beautiful growth and Africa. However, at least one of the adaptability. And unlike most cycads, subpopulations is now extinct in its area. this one is spine-free making a garden-friendly specimen.

Cycads have populated the planet since before the This species is pollinated by a type of weevil; up to 500

FUN dinosaurs—which­ likely dined on these plants! FUN weevils have been found on a single cone! FACT FACT

Exclusive Video 12 Bushman’s River Cycad Encephalartos trispinosus

Originally from South Africa, this small, but hardy species looks best when grown in full sun. It can also withstand moderate frosts. Once believed to be a form of E. horridus, it was identified as a separate species in 1965. Young cones are a distinct Find out how we help our cycads, by visiting this link: blue-green. sd.gozoo.org/cycad

Made possible through the generosity of While its species name refers to the three sharp spines The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation on the tips of each leaflet, new emerging leaves are FUN FACT incredibly soft and velvety.

sandiegozoo.org Cycad