Cycas is one of the remainders of the prehistoric era and appears to be almost immortal. Thankfully, that prehistoric charm is within arm’s reach. Cycas gives an arrangement an instant stylish and tropical look. Want to know more about the prehistoric roots of Cycas? Read along.
 

ORIGIN

At first glance Cycas has a lot in similar with a palm tree, but Cycas is in fact more related to Conifers than to Palms or even Ferns. The difference is that a palm tree typically produces flowers. Cycas however, produces a cone (like pine trees do as well). Cycas can therefore best be described as a 'pseudo-palm' and belongs to the ‘Cycadaceae’ family. About 113 varieties are accepted within this genus. Best known out of all these varieties is Cycas Revoluta, also known as ‘Sago palm’ or ‘King sago’. The notoriety is due to the fact that it is relatively easy to cultivate this variety: it adapts quite well to its environment and it produces beautiful deep green leaves. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Cycas is a popular plant in and around the house, whether they are shining in a vase, planted in the garden or kept as an indoor plant.

Mythology

Cycas has been thriving on earth since early prehistoric times. In those early days, Cycas was widespread and found all over the globe. But as the dinosaurs died, Cycas disappeared from the northern hemisphere and retreated to the east. Nowadays you can spot Cycas ‘in the wild’ in East and South East Asia and countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar.

Due to this long history and its special genetic composition, Cycas is seen as a relic from the past: a living fossil. And when you hold that special title, it is not strange that everything takes a little bit more time. Most varieties take a very long time to grow, some even need up to 10 years before they are able to reproduce.

But Cycas is not only there to stand still and look pretty: in India for example, the people use the leaves as an ingredient for starch. When combined with proteins (from fish and nuts) it forms a diet that, for centuries, has nourished people in the most poor areas of the country.
 

Inspiration

In need of some inspiration on how to use Cycas in an arrangement? Watch the video below to learn how to make a tropical and simple bouquet with this beautiful type of foliage!


 

Availability 

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