Sago Palm or King Sago (Cycas revoluta)
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Cycas revoluta, often referred to as the sago palm or king sago, is by far the most common cycad in cultivation in the world. Although originating in southern Japan, C. revoluta adapts well to a wide range of climates and soils. Here in central Texas, its toxicity to deer, cold hardiness, and indifference to alkaline soils make it very useful in Austin landscapes.
The photo above shows a planting of sagos around a large piece of Texas basalt. Below is a picture of a plant believed to be a monstrous form of Cycas revoluta. In this plant, there is no central trunk, just a mass approximately 20 heads of various sizes. When this plant was moved to its present location, it was found to have a very large taproot.
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The photo above shows a smaller sago branching at the tip. Below at left is a picture of a new flush of leaves emerging from the crested form of C. revoluta. In a crested plant, the meristem forms a line instead of a single point. A large female sago beside a Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is shown in the photo below at right.
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class: Cycadopsida / order: Cycadales / family: Cycadaceae / genus: Cycas / species: revoluta
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