Cycads are an ancient group ofplants often referred to as “living fossils”.They descended from and closely resembleplants that date back to the early TriassicPeriod in the Earth’s fossil record. Cycadsfirst appeared approximately 250 millionyears ago and were one of the mostnumerous types of plants during theCretaceous Period. Thus, they grewamongst the dinosaurs and were a foodsource to many of the herbivores.

Cycads belong to the order Cycadales.This order is divided into three families;Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, andZamiaceae. These three families contain11 genera of cycads and approximately300 different species. Cycads are alsoclassified as Gymnosperms. Theyresemble and are often called palms buthave no relation to the palms. They arecone bearing and produce naked seeds.They are most closely related to conifers(pines, junipers, etc.) and Ginkgos.They are also related to ferns, whichbear spores. Ferns are the evolutionarypredecessors to cycads. Cycads are themost primitive of the Gymnosperms(and seed bearing plants) living today.

In the past cycads figured morepredominately in the plant kingdomthan they do today. In the past theyhad a much wider geographical range,which was probably due to the Earthhaving a warmer and wetter climate.Cycads today are limited to subtropicaland tropical regions but cycad fossilshave been found in Antarctica,Greenland, England, and Alaska. Manymodern cycads have a small or limiteddistribution range. Also, a majority oftoday’s cycads are threatened orendangered because of habitatdestruction and poaching. It is sad to

think that these plants have survived formillions of years only to be on the brinkof being wiped out within decades.

When adding a cycad to the landscape,choose a species appropriate for thelocation. Some need sun while othersprefer shade. Some can get quite largeand others are low growing. Plant acycad in the ground at the same level asit was in the pot. Most cycads prefer awell-drained soil and do not requireanything to be added to the soil. Waterit in well once it is planted. You can

fertilize a cycads 3 to 4 times a year.Use a good general garden fertilizer (likea 6-6-6 or 8-8-8) or a palm fertilizer.

Cycads do not have many problemsin the landscape other than the rapidlyspreading Asian Cycad Scale (see sidebararticle). A common problem seen onKing Sagos (Cycas revoluta) is a manganesedecifiency. This is evident when a newflush of leaves grows. The leaves appearto be distorted and often have a “burnt”or “scorched” appearance. This can becorrected by adding extra manganese

Cycads forCentral Florida

Lepidozamia peroffskyanaLepidozamia peroffskyana

when fertilizing. Do not add it by itself;apply it along with the regular fertilizerso you do not throw the other nutrientsout of balance. This will not green up theaffected leaves but will help ensure the nextflush contains healthy and lush leaves.

Cycads are sexed plants and individualsbear either male or female cones. Inorder to produce fertile seed, a plant ofeach sex is needed. In the wild, cycadsare pollinated usually by wind or insects.In cultivation, most cycads need to bepollinated by hand.

Cycads make great landscape itemsfor the Central Florida landscape. Beloware some of the cycads that will growwell in Central Florida.

The genus Bowenia contains twospecies suitable for Central Florida.They are both native to rainforests innortheastern Australia. They are smallcycads whose stems remain underground.They need shade and moist soil. Theyhave bipinnate leaves with the leafletsoccurring on the top portions of thewiry petioles and can be easily mistakenfor large ferns. Bowenia serrulata hassmall, soft serrations along the edges ofthe leaflets while those of Boweniaspectabilis are smooth.

The genus Ceratozamia containsseveral species that are not commonlygrown here but are well suited andshould be planted more. They are nativefrom Mexico into Central America.Ceratozamia hildae is often called theBamboo-leaf Cycad. It has attractiveupright leaves that are bright green incolor. Ceratozamia mexicana has large,leathery leaves that are dark green. It is astemless plant. Ceratozamia robusta issimilar but grows on a trunk that canreach 4-6 feet high. Ceratozamiakuesteriana is a smaller plant growing3-4 feet in height. The dark green leavesare a dark maroon color when they firstappear. Ceratozamias look best with atleast afternoon shade.

The genus Cycas contains a couple ofcycads that are common in CentralFlorida. Cycas revolute, the King Sago, isthe most widely grown cycad in theworld and the most common in Florida.

Asian Cycad ScaleAsian Cycad Scale (Aulacaspis

yasumatsui) is a serious pest that has begunseriously infecting King Sagos (Cycasrevoluta) and Queen Sagos (Cycas rumphii)in Central Florida. This pest is originallyfrom Thailand and made its way into southFlorida in 1996. It has since spread northand become a major nuisance in CentralFlorida in the last few years.

Asian Cycad Scale is very detrimental to cycads in the Cycas genus. Unfortunately theseare some of the most common plants in local landscapes. It can completely infest a cycadwithin months and if not controlled, can kill the plant after just one year. Asian Cycad Scalereproduces very rapidly and can quickly blanket a cycad in a snowy white covering. Heavilyinfected leaves begin showing yellowish-brown spots eventually turning totally brown anddying. Before controls were discovered to control this pest, Asian Cycad Scale ran rampant insouth Florida and thousands of old King and Queen Sagos disappeared from the landscapes.This scale is unusual as it feeds on all parts of the plant including cones and even roots.Freezing temperatures will kill the insect but many will survive underground and quicklyspread back up the plant when the weather warms.

Control of the Asian Cycad Scale requires strict vigilance and perseverance. A multi-prongedsolution includes using horticultural oil sprays on the above ground portions of the plant anda systemic (either in spray or granule form) insecticide. Systemics are an insecticide thatdoes not kill the insect on contact. It is absorbed by the plant and is ingested by the insectwhen it feeds on the treated plant. Systemics are applied as a root drench. Systemics thatare recommended include those with the active ingredients acephate, dimethoate, anddisyston.

The best plan for control is to first wash the foliage and stem of the cycad using a high-pressure hose nozzle. This will help dislodge and knock off some of the insects. If the planthas a thick head of fronds, removing 1/2 - 3/4 of the lower foliage before spraying canhelp. If the plants are severely infected and the leaves are in poor shape, totally defoliatethe plant. After the plant dries, spray using the horticultural oil. Spray the plant well includingthe trunk. You can spray using oil every other week but make sure to spray at least once amonth for good control. Try not to spray oil during the midday as the plant can show burndamage. Use the systemics sparingly, once every 2-3 months but make sure a systemic isused for the best overall results. As always, follow directions on the label of the insecticidewhen mixing spray.

Asian Cycad Scale is spread very easily by thewind so landscapes that do not treat it can easilyreinfest others. Natural predators of this scale(including parasitic beetles and wasps) have begun tobe released in parts of Florida with good results but itwill take some time before sizable populations ofbeneficials begin to control this scale.

Cycad scaleCycad scale

It is a slow growing plant from southernJapan. The Queen Sago, Cycas rumphii,is commonly seen in the warmer areas ofCentral Florida. It is from southeasternAsia and was incorrectly labeled as Cycas

Cycad scale on seedsCycad scale on seeds

circinalis for many years incultivation. Cycas taitungensis, thePrince or Emperor Sago isbeginning to be seen in somelandscapes. It looks very similar toCycas revoluta but is much fastergrowing. It is native to Taiwanand has been misidentified asCycas taiwaniana. Unfortunately,all of the Cycas are very susceptibleto the Asian Scale and it is notrecommended to plant any in thelandscape unless you are willingto keep up with the maintenanceneeded to control the pest.

Dioon contains several cycads wellsuited to Central Florida. Dioon edule,the Chestnut Cycad, is a great plant forour landscapes. It is slow growing and isslightly smaller in size than the King Sago.The trunk can eventually reach 3-5 feettall. The fronds are a light green and stiff.This cycad likes full sun and is very droughttolerant. This is a good replacement forKing Sagos in our landscapes. Dioonspinulosum is a larger growing species. Itneeds a partially shaded location andcan grow 5 to 10 feet tall. Both arenative to Mexico.

Encephalartos is a large genus ofcycads native to the southern half ofAfrica. Encephalartos ferox is one of themost attractive. It has dark green frondswith sharply armed leaflets that resembleholly leaves. The female cones are oftena bright scarlet color and contrast nicelywith the dark green foliage. It can growa small trunk 3-6 feet tall . Encephalartosgratus is a large cycad with leaves 4-6feet long and a trunk that can grow 4-6feet tall. Both of these prefer a partiallyshaded location. Encephalartos horridusand trispinosus are similar species. Bothare spiny and silvery blue in color. They

only grow a few feet tall and need a hot,sunny location. They are also verydrought and cold tolerant.

One of the best cycads for CentralFlorida is Lepidozamia peroffskyana. Thisunderutilized cycad is native to north-eastern Australia and can reach 10-15feet tall. It has very graceful leaves thatare a glossy green and grow 5-10 feetlong. These leaves are soft and unarmed,making it one of the more “friendly”cycads for the home landscape. It willgrow in sun or shade but looks best withafternoon shade in Florida. This cycadproduces the largest cones of all cycadsspecies. Female cones can often weighover 25 pounds.

Macrozamia contains over 30 speciesnative to Australia. Macozamia communisis a small cycad only growing 3-5 feettall and has dark green, feathery leaves.It grows best with part shade. Macrozamiamoorei is a large growing species withbluish-green leaves. It needs full sun, isvery drought tolerant and is slow growing.It eventually can reach about 10 feet tallwith a robust trunk.

Stangeria is from South Africa andonly has one species, eriopus. It is anattractive, low growing, trunkless cycad

only growing 1-3 feet tall. The darkgreen leaves are fern-like. It needs ashady location in the garden.

The genus Zamia contains the onlycycad native to Florida, Zamia floridanaor Coontie. It has had a confusingtaxonomic past and is been known asZamia integrifolia, Zamia pumila,Zamia silvicola, and Zamia umbrosa.Coontie is a trunkless cycad only growing1-2 feet tall but it has many forms.Some have narrow leaflets, very wideleaflets, curly leaflets or even spiraledleaflets. One form can grow 4-6 feet tall.Coontie will grow in sun or shade and isvery drought tolerant. It makes an excel-lent groundcover. Another commonZamia is the Cardboard Cycad, Zamiamaritima. It was formerly known asZamia fufuracea. It is native to easternMexico and has thick leaflets that feellike cardboard. It will grow in sun orshade and is also very drought tolerant.Another species is Zamia vazquezi. Thiscycad is native to rainforests in southernMexico and needs a shady location. It issmall, only growing 1-2 feet tall. It veryclosely resembles a Holly Fern (Cyrtomiumfalcatum). It has been misidentified asZamia fischeri in the past.

Stangeria eriopus

Here at Leu Gardens, our cycadcollection can be found next to thePalm Garden. We are currently growingover 70 species of cycads.Amongst the cycads areother primitive plantsincluding horsetails,Araucarias (a primitivefamily of conifers), Ginkgo,Metasequoia, Magnolia,ferns and tree ferns thathelps give the area aprehistoric feel.

Sources for some of therarer cycads are limited.Several of the more commonspecies can easily be foundat local nurseries and gardencenters. For some of therarer and more unusualvarieties, a good source are

On the Internet:The Cycad Society:

www.cycad.org

Palm and Cycad Societies of Florida:www.plantapalm.com

Central Florida Palm and Cycad Society:http://www.plantapalm.com/centralfl/default.asp

The Cycad Pages:http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/PlantNet/cycad/index.html

Books:Cycads of the World, by David L. Jones, 2002, New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd.

The Cycads, by Loran M. Whitelock, 2002, Timber Press, Inc.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONON CYCADS

Encephalartos ferox, closeupEncephalartos ferox, closeup

Dioon eduleDioon edule

plant sales held at botanic gardens suchas the Leu Gardens Spring Plant Sale.Another source is through the Central

Florida Palm and Cycad Society. Plantsare often sold at local meetings.

– Eric Schmidt