What are Cycads?

Cycads ( pronounced, si’kad ) are an ancient group of plants that date back 250 million years. In the Jurassic period cycad-like plants dominated world vegetation, which is why this era is sometimes referred to as ‘The Age of Cycads’.

They inhabit the tropical and subtropical regions of the world,  and a few grow in temperate regions that experience only mild winters. Some cycads grow in moist areas and in dense forests, while others are found in exposed places and in semidesert regions.     Although they can be locally quite abundant, all species of cycads are endangered.

Cycads are woody-stemmed, architectural plants that resemble ferns and palms. But cycads are not related to either of these plants. Cycads are actually cone-bearing plants more closely related to pine trees.

• Cycads are the oldest seedling plants on earth, with fossil records dating them to before the time of the dinosaurs.   During the Jurassic period they were spread across the earth, but today they are found only in diminishing numbers in certain tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

• Cycads are living sculptures. Awesome looking architectural plants that add a distinctive touch to a garden, landscape or conservatory.

• When you grow a cycad, you are preserving an endangered species. By nurturing a cycad in your garden or home, you are part of a worldwide endangered species preservation movement, ensuring the survival of these plants that are threatened in the wild.

• Cycads are environmentally friendly. They require little water or other resources to survive and thrive.

• Cycads are a legacy to your grandchildren’s grandchildren, living for hundreds of years as a beautiful voice from prehistoric times.