I think I've ID'd my biggest Cycad

[GoggleboxUK]

I think my largest cycad is actually not a Revoluta but a CYCAS THOUARSII (pictured below)

What do you reckon?



This is mine:

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

[call]

again with the double posting

[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.

[call]

i dont think anyone reads blofs
but youve got a point

[GoggleboxUK]

[JoelR]

Sure your plant isn't just a leggy revoluta?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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!

[GoggleboxUK]

Cool!

Cheers Sean

[Troppoz]

Mind you though Gogg it could just be an errant revoluta or even a hybrid...

[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.