Fauna
Plant

Queen Sago

Cycas circinalis

Also known as Fern Palm, False Sago Palm

Queen sago is an ancient palm-like gymnosperm that traces its lineage back hundreds of millions of years. Robust columnar trunks bear sprawling crowns of feathery, arching fronds up to two and a half meters long, alongside distinctive reproductive cones or leafy megasporophylls. Specialized coralloid roots host symbiotic cyanobacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen, allowing these slow-growing survivors to thrive in rocky, nutrient-poor woodland soils.

Ancient LineageToxicEvergreen
Queen Sago reference1 / 7
(c) T R Shankar Raman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by T R Shankar Raman · cc-by
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Plains Cupid Butterfly Larvae
ThreatsHabitat clearance, wild poaching for ornamental trade, and invasive insect pests
HabitatsTropical dry deciduous forests, rocky woodland slopes, and coastal scrub
Life span100–200+ years
Classification
  1. FamilyCycadaceae
  2. SpeciesCycas circinalis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains potent toxins like cycasin; seeds and plant tissues are deadly to humans and pets if ingested.
Why it is dangerous
All plant tissues contain cycasin and BMAA, compounds that cause acute liver failure, gastrointestinal distress, and progressive neurological injury.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by a stout woody trunk topped with a crown of deep green, pinnate fronds and dense central cones or seeds.
What to do
Never consume any part of the plant, and keep curious pets completely away from fallen seeds.
What to notice
Look for large, mature specimens in southern Indian deciduous woodlands bearing long arching fronds.
Support conservation
Leave wild plants undisturbed, avoiding any pruning or seed harvesting, and report poaching activity.
Responsible observation
  • Safe Distance: Admire foliage and cones from a respectful distance without disturbing wild plants.
  • Pet Safety: Keep domestic animals away from fallen seeds, which cause severe poisoning if chewed.
  • Wild Protection: Never purchase wild-harvested specimens or remove seeds from native habitats.
Related species
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