Cycad

[Cjcorner]

We have several cycads out in the back yard. I hadn't seen this before. The berrys make for a colorful bush.

[delphiguy]

I've been wanting to grow cycads unfortunately i dont have the space for them... oh those berries are really colorful... thanks for sharing.

[AtantaR]

hmm interesting.....

[zainal abidin]

Your prehistoric plants very healthy and pretty maybe you can send some of the berries here.Zain.

[orchidsal]

And to think that Dinosaurs used to feast on this plant. Aren't you glad there is no modern equivalent? By the way, I have always enjoyed cycads. AL

[catttan]

Beautiful. I haven't seen the seeds of this before. Is this the Zamia fufuracea?

[Halloamey]

Yes it is indeed a Zamia furfuracea. I grow some myself. Be very careful with the berries and children and pets as these berries are extremely toxic, 2 or 3 are sufficient to kill pets and children from kidney and liver failure and no antidotes are known. All parts of the plant are toxic, but the leaves, cones and bulbs are so leathery, hard and spiny that most animals will keep away from them, but the berries are very inviting.

[Halloamey]

Beautiful. I haven't seen the seeds of this before.

Yew, the plant is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The male plants will produce slender cones that form only the male gametes called microsporophylls whereas the female plant will produce thicker cones that can set seeds only if they are fertilized by the male gamete, so you need to have both the male and female plants or atleast some in the vicinity. Most plants for the horticulture trade are produced by vegetative propogation of the small bulbs or pups that both adult male and female plants produce, so it is possible that entire unisex populations exist and hence no seeds.

[catttan]

Yew, the plant is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The male plants will produce slender cones that form only the male gametes called microsporophylls whereas the female plant will produce thicker cones that can set seeds only if they are fertilized by the male gamete, so you need to have both the male and female plants or atleast some in the vicinity. Most plants for the horticulture trade are produced by vegetative propogation of the small bulbs or pups that both adult male and female plants produce, so it is possible that entire unisex populations exist and hence no seeds.

Thanks Amey for the info. Now I know why I've never seen the berries. Interestingly there is a cycad growing on the cliffs of our limestone hills here in Kedah and Langkawi that I have not seen on other limestone hills, but have all been collected extensively these last few years. The Chinese here believe that growing cycads in the homes brings luck and prosperity and now I don't see them any more. Some of them were really huge - more than 10ft tall.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Cool plant, cool thread. I always learn so much from you guys. Thanks everyone.

Cheers,
BD