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I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:11 am
by GoggleboxUK
I think my largest cycad is actually not a Revoluta but a CYCAS THOUARSII (pictured below)

What do you reckon?

Image

This is mine:

Image

Image
Madagascar Sago

Cycas thouarsii is one of the largest cycads and probably the fastest-growing, reaching over 30 feet tall,
with a trunk up to 18 inches in diameter, producing offsets along its length. It generates up to 40 leaves
at a time, each up to 10 feet long. Cycas thouarsii grows in open coastal forests of Madagascar, the Comoros
Islands and the Seychelles. It is also found on the East Coast of Africa, where the species may have been
established by Arab traders because of its beauty and food value.

This plant may be the oldest living Cycad, at an estimated 140 million years. It grows best in a moist, well-drained
location, with light shade. During dry periods, it benefits from mulches and ample watering, and can handle temperatures
down to -3c
I'll be made up if it is, it's 14 years old and only cost me £31 compared to this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cycas-Thouars ... 2a196dd727

icon_cheers

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:44 am
by call
again with the double posting :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:50 am
by GoggleboxUK
I do that because some members don't read blofs call.

It also gives me a searchable reference that won't disappear. This way I can look back and see how plants have grown over time.

:DD

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:53 am
by call
i dont think anyone reads blofs
but youve got a point

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:54 am
by GoggleboxUK
:lol:

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:27 pm
by JoelR
Sure your plant isn't just a leggy revoluta?

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:33 pm
by GoggleboxUK
I can't see why it would be leggy, it was in a conservatory for 14 years then outdoors until late October.

The fronds don't seem to have the typical Revoluta deep green or the upward fold from the central spine of the leaf. It seems less armoured than my other Revolutas and has a similar one-sided tilt to the fronds as the one in the picture.

All my other Revoluta tend to have a V shaped split right at the end of each frond but this one finishes the fronds with a fully rounded edge.

I'm not saying it isn't a Revoluta, I just think it's more likely the Madagascar veriety.

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:03 pm
by JoelR
Not doubting you Goggle but I've seen C. revoluta with elongated leaves like that resulting from windowsill culture. Cycas thouarsii can apparently grow 2 feet in its first year from seed so a 14 year old plant could be quite big with leaves up to 10 ft long. You're unlikely to acquire one by accident and coming from madagascar, it would be hard to mix up with C. revoluta.

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:33 pm
by stephenprudence
The first thing I thought was revoluta, as Ive seen them like this when grown in greenhouses and similar, none cold environments with little frost.

Could be wrong of course, but I think revoluta.

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:23 pm
by GoggleboxUK
Yeah, based on the speed of growth I'd agree. Probably is a leggy Revoluta.

I guess I'll know for certain when it flushes, it's due this year.

;)

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:53 pm
by call
Cycas thouarsii can apparently grow 2 feet in its first year from seed
thats fast growing for a cycad i might get some seeds :D

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:33 pm
by Troppoz
Gogg sorry to rain on your parade but thats not a thouarsii Im afraid... :(

But it looks similiar to Simba's Cycas taitungensis which is a larger faster growing form of revoluta basically. The leaflets sit flatter on the rachis in taitungensis rather than forming a keeled V in revoluta and the fronds are longer than revoluta. Its also reputed to be a tad hardier than revoluta so lets hope so!

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:57 pm
by GoggleboxUK
Cool!

Cheers Sean ;)

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:08 am
by Troppoz
Mind you though Gogg it could just be an errant revoluta or even a hybrid...

Re: I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:14 am
by GoggleboxUK
This is true.

At the end of the day it is big, healthy and Cycad-like so I'm happy with it whatever it is.

;)