Siamese cycad
Cycas siamensis

Family: Cycadaceae

What it is like

A small tree. The trunk is 1.5 m tall and 40-60 cm across. It is swollen at the base. The young leaves bear red brown hairs. There are many leaves. They form a widely spreading crown. They are 0.6-1.2 m long by 10-40 cm wide. They are dark green. The leaf stalks are 20-35 cm long. There are 70-180 leaflets on each leaf. The male cones are 20-30 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. They are narrow, oblong, brown and hairy. The female cones are loose and open.

There are about 20-40 Cycas species.

Where it is found

They grow in tropical places. They grow in places with hot humid summers and mild dry winters. It grows under clear forest in coastal regions. It requires good drainage. It needs light shade. It needs regular watering. They cannot tolerate frosts. In Brisbane Botanical gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The kernels of the seeds are poisonous but when soaked in running water for 3-4 days can become edible. The tubers are edible after very long cooking. Starch can be extracted from the stem.

Edible parts

Seeds, stem - starch

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Duochi, Ko'ook, Mondaing, Pakut-kon, Ph'aawz, Prang prang prei, Prong-liam, Prong-pa, Talapat-ruesi, Thien tue xiem

Synonyms

Cycas inermis Lour.;