“Sago palm”

Karen pointed out this “cycad” (which is *not* a “palm”) early last week as it was shooting up new “leaves.” It has been fascinating watching these leaves erupt in the center from the ground.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a very good shot; I was too close (and apparently too lazy to climb out, change lenses and climb back in)! These new leaves are soft, as you might expect, but the old leaves that I had to part and hold out of the way are anything *but* soft. Indeed they are quite “spiny.”

“Cycads” were the main food source for herbivores millions of years ago and it’s interesting to realize that the spiny old leaves on the outside were no problem for the long-necked herbivores who could lower their head right into the center and chomp off the soft new leaves in the center.

Slow-growing, apparently Cycas revoluta will only shoot out new leaves once per year. This is one aspect of the species that makes it popular as an ornamental plant; read more at Dave’s Garden, http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3342/

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Cycas_revoluta&rank=binomial

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

1 year ago (“Stand apart from the crowd”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-04-03
2 years ago (“Back in the library: An abstract explained”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-04-03
3 years ago (“Homeowners, start your mowers!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-04-03

[Frank Hymus]

It looks lovely and crisp. Great capture Thom.

[Rick Schies]

Now that looks like a specialty

[MaryBeth Dailey]

This is cool! If you look at the upreaching fronds or whatever they are, they look like octopus tentacles...as he swims away.