Emperor Sago

Cycas taiwaniana, or Emperor Sago, is a close relative of the more common Cycas revoluta, or Sago palm. One can readily distinguish an Emperor Sago from the C. revoluta with its longer leaf stems, leaflets, and flattened leaflet margins - as opposed to the C. revoluta leaf margins that roll back.

The Cycas taiwaniana is arguably a more elegant and desirable plant with its open reach, outstretched leaflets and leisurely feel.

For as long as we have grown these cycads, we have referred to them as Cycas taiwaniana and apparently the seeds were originally purchased as such. However, in 1994 the Cycas from Taiwan were reclassified as a different species named Cycas taitungensis. It may be that the plants in our collection are Cycas taitungensis, though they are closer to descriptions of the taiwaniana.

A medium to large sized cycad with a terrestrial trunk, the Emperor Sago is considered a more exotic and attractive alternative to the Cycas revoluta.

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Item #: 57363

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Caudex Height:

Conditions for Growth

The Cycas taiwaniana cycads grown in Riverside are fast growers with a trunk rate of growth somewhat slower than the C. thouarsii but faster than the C. revoluta. Native to Taiwan (or China), this cycad is salt tolerant and cold hardy, though it is known to be less resistant to frost than the C. revoluta.

Growth Rate and Size

Mature specimens can reach 11-12 feet with 12-30 leaves in crown spreading out up to 10 feet. The rate of growth is relatively fast for a Cycad, clocking over an inch per year in Riverside. In addition to just being a bigger plant, their rate of trunk growth seems to be about 10-15% faster than the C revoluta.

Description

Deep green leaves, long, narrow leaflets, often twisted along rachis, margins flat, slighly thick with prominent mid-rib.