Swamy Sago Palm is a plant with somewhat tree-like
stem, columnar or branched with a broad base, reaching 8 m in height,
26-96 cm in diameter. Two kinds of habit were observed in the natural
habitat: (1) plants having a columnar trunk with a maximum
circumference of 80–100 cm at the base and 60–70 cm at chest height;
(2) plants having an isotomous and decussate branched robust trunk with
a circumference of about 100–200 cm at the base, with each dichotomy
measuring 50–40 cm in circumference at chest height. A persistent
armour of leaf bases is found on the small plants, but those attaining
a height of 1.5 m or more mostly do not have a persistent armour of
leaf bases; instead they show a flatted bark pattern. Young plants of
50–75 cm in height have a broad base tapering distally. Leaves
pinnately compound, 0.75–1.5 m long, with 55–100 pairs of pinnae.
Developing leaves are covered with ferruginous hairs on the lower
surface. Mature pinnae lanceshaped, shiny dark green, 13–21 x 0.65– 0.9
cm, attachment of median pinnae on axis at 40–45°. Margin entire. Tip
spinescent. The median pinnae in the vertical section lack the
characteristic mucilage canals found in other species of Cycas from the
Western Ghats. Leaf-stalk 15–30 cm long with opposite or subalternate
pinnacanths. Pinnacanths 2–3 mm long. Microsporangiate cone oblong,
reddish- orange, about 50 cm long. Megasporophylls 12–25 cm long from
the base of the fertile stalk, bearing ovules up to the base of the
sterile tip. Sterile tip broadly trullate, 4–6 x 3–4.5 cm with 15–19
regular lateral teeth on either side. Swamy Sago Palm is indigenous to
south-eastern Karnataka.
Identification credit: Sheshadri
Photographed in Hassan, Karnataka.
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The flower labeled Swamy Sago Palm is ...