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Cycads in South Africa. Cycads / ˈ s aɪ k æ d z / are seed plants that typically have a stout and woody trunk with a crown of large, hard, stiff, evergreen and (usually) pinnate leaves. The species are dioecious, that is, individual plants of a species are either male or female. Cycads vary in size from having trunks only a few centimeters ...
Most parts of the Macrozamia miquelii are toxic with the seeds of the cycad having a higher concentration of azoxyglycosides, including cycasin and macrozamin, than other parts of the plant. [20] Other toxins identified within the cycad include β-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) which acts as a powerful neurotoxin if ingested.
The seeds when mature measure about 5 cm (2.0 in) long by 4 cm (1.6 in) wide and are sheathed in a bright red sarcotesta. [4] [5] [6] It is reputed to be the tallest known species of cycad and it towers over other understorey vegetation, but rarely reaches the forest canopy. [6] [7]: 4
Cycas is a genus of cycad, and the only genus in the family Cycadaceae with all other genera of cycad being divided between the Stangeriaceae and Zamiaceae families. Cycas circinalis, a species endemic to India, was the first cycad species to be described in western literature, and is the type species of the genus. [4] [5]
A specimen of L. hopei is known as the tallest living cycad at 17.5 m tall. These cycads are generally unbranched, tall, and with persistent leaf bases. They are easily cultivated as ornamental plants and are relatively cold hardy; L. peroffskyana was first described by a specimen grown at Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden in 1857.
The seed is poisonous. The potent poison in the seeds is removed by soaking them in water. Water from the first seed-soaking will kill birds, goats, sheep and hogs. Water from the following soakings is said to be harmless. [Minimum of 5 Soakings needed to ensure the safety] [5] After the final soaking, the seeds are dried and ground into flour.
Dioon tomasellii is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it occurs in the states of Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Nayarit. [1] This plant grows in oak and pine-oak forest and woodland habitat.
The plant has red seeds, about 1.3 to 1.8 centimeters long and 0.5 to 0.8 centimeters in diameter. Zamia fischeri can be distinguished from Zamia vazquezii by having smaller leaves (15-30 centimeters), lancelike leaflets , and no prickles on its petioles .