Cycads
A group of plants that resembles the palms or ferns is the cycad. Due to their similar look, they are grouped here with the palms. Cycads are among the oldest living plants. Dinosaurs lived in a world of cycads at least 250 million years ago. They far surpass the palm in age and are a curious plant in any garden.
The windows at the front of Thad's house are virtually blocked by the cycads. A few years ago, a Biology teacher was visiting from the north and saw the cycads. When he found out what they were, he leaped in surprise. He had taught students for many years about these ancient fossils and never thought that they could be grown in the United States. He had figured that there were only a handful of cycads in the world and never expected to see these relics much less several varieties growing robustly in my yard. (And he calls himself a teacher) He was surprised like Thad was when he found out about the multitude of palms. (These guys from the north have no life.)
The most common cycad is the Cycas revoluta or the sago palm which is very hardy and grows throughout the gulf coast. It has bloomed several times and the seeds have been planted throughout the gardens. (I cannot eat these seeds since they are deadly poisonous. Someone told me that birds can eat them and I've tried to feed them to the chachalacas but they won't eat them either.)
A larger and more beautiful cycad is Cycas circinalas. This one has a trunk of about 4 feet in height. Dion spinulosum and Dion edule are also grown. Zamia furfuracea or "the cardboard palm'' is another gorgeous specimen. It is smaller than the others but has unusual cardboard type leaves. Zamia pumila is smaller yet and does not resemble a palm at all. A few more rare cycads are also grown but these are small and have been slow to develop.
Willy next to a cycad
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