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This unique plant resembles a palm tree but is actually a cycad. These living fossils, members of the Cycadaceae family, dominated the landscape during the Mesozoic era over 150 million years ago. Today about 10 genera of cycads still survive. The most commonly grown is the Japanese sago, also called the sago palm (even though it isn't really a palm). This very symmetrical plant supports a crown of shiny dark green leaves on a thick shaggy trunk that can grow to 10-12 ft (25.4-30.5 m) high. The plant is very slow gowing requiring about 50 years to achieve this height. As the plant matures branching of the thick stem may occur which only adds to the interest and charm of this beauty. Japanese sago also tends to produce suckers at its base forming a large multi-stem clump over time.
In mature individuals the reproductive structures form at the center of the rosette. Sago plants are dioecious, meaning that each plant is either male or female. The male structure is a yellow rod shaped cone that grows 12-18 in (30.5-45.7 m). Modified leaves form the female cone which is a globe shaped yellow structure in which scalelike leaves cover bright orange seeds that are about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter.
Location
Culture New plants can also be obtained by removing suckering offsets from the base of the trunks. Remove leaves and plant in moist, well drained soil. This technique is most successful when performed in the winter when plant is dormant (root growth is still active during this period).
This is a wonderful plant for both indoor and outdoor use. It looks great in the shrub border or as an accent on an expanse of lawn or near the patio. Use in entryways or in rock and sand gardens. It mixes well with palms and combines well with border grass (Liriope muscari), podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophylla) and camellias (Camellia japonica). Sago is an excellent container plant for use outdoors and in the home. It has been a popular house plant in the west for over a century and in Japan for even longer. In Japan the sago is also used as a bonsai subject. Dwarfs of great value are produced by withholding moisture and packing the plant in sand. These often have very thin trunks or interesting deformities and are sometimes sold under the name Cycas nana.
This is a very interesting plant that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs. It's unique shape and texture provide interest in both the landscape and indoors. The glossy metallic leaves are harvested and preserved by the Japanese who export them for use in flower arrangements and wreaths. My first encounter with sago was as an alter boy. After funeral masses we would carry the flower arrangements out of the church for disposal (one common name of this plant is Japanese funeral palm). I recall loudly arguing about whether the dark green leaves were real or fake. My buddies and I eventually concurred that they were real but "dipped in plastic and sprayed" and used them for "sword" fights. When years later after moving to Florida I encountered living sagos, I was impressed to see that the leaves are as "fake" looking when alive as they are in funeral arrangements. I now enjoy a bunch of them growing around my yard. The trunks of many cycads, including the sago, are composed of a starchy tissue from which a carbohydrate source was obtained during times of famine in Japan. The plant is also used as a food source on some islands in the Western Pacific. Unfortunately it contains a neurotoxin that can produce paralysis and death if the flour is not properly prepared. Some medical researchers suspect that use of cycad starch is the cause of higher incidents of several diseases in areas where it is consumed.  WARNINGAnimals that graze on Cycas leaves may exhibit permanent nuerological disorders. Cycas seed is sometimes suggested as a natural remedy for certain conditions - do not use it! All parts of this plant are toxic. Jack Scheper 7/27/97; updated 1/20/02, 2/10/04
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