The Name of a Plant That Resembles the Palm Tree

Cycads

• Like the palm tree, cycads inhabit tropical and sub-tropical locales and many of the approximately 200 species of cycad exhibit a striking similarity in appearance to the palm species, complete with broad leaves that look much like palm fronds. However, cycads are actually more closely related to the pine tree than the palm. Cycads have existed on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs, while palms first appeared 150 million years later.

Cycad Features

• Some cycad species grow to a height of 60 feet with leaves 10 feet long, while others achieve a height of less than 1 foot. They also differ from the palm in the fact that they bear no fruit or flowers. The stems of the cycad are thick but not made of wood; instead the stem is a fibrous growth that contains a large amount of starch. Cycads require well-drained soil, but are adept at withstanding drought--some species need less than 2 inches of rainfall annually to survive.

Sago Palm

• The Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is planted in many of the same areas--and adjacent to -- palm trees, due to its ability to help create a lush, tropical landscape. It is considered hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zzones 8 through 10, an area restricted to tropical and sub-tropical sections of the U.S. It typically grows outdoors to a height of between 8 and 10 feet with a leaf length of 4 to 5 feet. It prefers full sunshine and if the Sago palm receives too much shade, the growth of new leaves will be limited.

Fun Facts

• Further confusion stems from the fact that the scientific name for the cycad (Cycas) is a Greek word meaning "palm tree." Although cycads are rarely used for food today, Florida's Seminole Native-Americans historically utilized the starchy extract of the plant for use in a type of pudding they called "sofkee". According to Dr. T. Ombrello of Union County College in New Jersey, it was also enjoyed as a substitute for white flour and early settlers to the Miami area built an industry around the production of this flour.