Cycas revoluta sago palm

Cycas revoluta. John Rawlings, ca. 2005

These decorative single-trunked, small trees appeared in several islands of the Inner Quad when it was repaved in 1984. In appearance like a tree fern, they remind us of the look the young palms must have given to the Quad a century ago. Leaves are 2 feet long with innumerable recurved leaflets. In the fall an impressive crown of new leaves prepares to unfurl at the apex and becomes most interesting to watch, more so than the corresponding happenings of the tall palms whose tops are out of sight. The sago palms will reach only 6 feet or so and would be suitable for the New Guinea Garden. Cycads are not palms; some are males and some females and in due course they will produce and drop cones.

Many sago palms are part of the original landscaping of the Knight Business Center inner court which opened Spring, 2011.

Illustrations: gallery.