Read this article to learn about the Cycas: Occurrence, Morphological Features and Economic Importance !
Division : Cycadophyta
Order : Cycadales
Genus : Cycas
Class : Cycadopsida
Family : Cycadaceae
Occurrence:
Sixteen species of Cycas are found in the tropical and subtropical parts of the earth. The name Cycas has been derived from a Greek word Kykas = Cocopalm. It is an evergreen plant. In India Cycas is represented by six species— C. revoluta, C. pectinata, C. siamensis, C. beddomei, C. rumphiand C. circinalis.
Cycas revoluta is the most commonly cultivated species of Indian gardens. It also occurs in China, Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Japan. Its natural habitat is in open, sunny, well-drained situations. It is a palm-like tree with size varies from 1-2 meters. As it yields ‘sago’, from the mucilage in its main trunk. It is popularly called ‘sago palm’. Leaflets are 6-8 mm broad with revolute margins.
Morphology:
Cycas sporophyte is an evergreen palm-like tree that attains a height of 0.4 to 2.0 mt. Sporophyte is dioecious i.e. male and female plants are separate. Both the plant body is differentiated into roots, stem and leaves (Fig. 9.2).
(i) Roots:
Roots are of two types, i.e., normal tap root and coralloid root. Tap root is positively geotropism, non-green, without root hair. It helps in anchorage and absorbs water and minerals. Coralloid roots are lateral branches of tap root. It grows first horizontally (diageotropic) then, repeatedly divide dichotomously, come out of the soil surface (apogeotropic) in the form of coral like mass.
These are devoid of root hair and root cap. Its anatomy is similar to normal tap root, but its cortex is differentiated into three zones i.e., Upper cortex, Middle cortex and Lower cortex Middle cortex carries BGA (Anabena cycadcearum, Nostoc) symbiotically. Coralloid root helps in nitrogen fixation as well as respiration (due to lenticels).
(ii) Stem:
The stem is erect, columnar, woody and un-branched. It is covered with alternate whorls of leaf bases of foliage leaves and scale leaves. The stem apex bears a crown of leaves and sex organs at maturity.
(iii) Leaves:
Leaves are dimorphic i.e. 2 types, assimilatory or foliage leaves and scaly leaves or cataphylls. Both the leaf types are born at the stem apex in alternate spirals. Foliage leaves are large (1 -3 m), green, pinnately compound. Petiole has 2 rows of spines. Rachis bears 80-100 pairs of pinnae or leaflets.
Leaflets are sessile, elongated, tough, and lanceolate in shape with a spiny apex, revolute or smooth margins. Young leaves have circinate vernation like those of ferns and always covered with brown hairs called ramenta (Fig. 9.3). Scale leaves are small, dry, brown, triangular leaves covered with ramenta. They are non- photosynthetic and protect the stem apex (Fig. 9.3).
Economic Importance of Cycas:
1. Cycas plants are highly valued for their ornamental looks, and hence grown in homes and garden as an ornamental plant.
2. A starch called ‘sago’ is obtained from the stem pith of Cycas revoluta. That is why this species of Cycas is also known as “Sago Palm”. Sago starch is used in the preparation of “Sabbodana”.
3. In Sri Lanka, the starch obtained from the seeds is used in cakes.
4. Soft young leaves of Cycas are used as vegetable also in some parts of the world.
5. Seed of some species of Cycas are used as fodder for animals.
6. Boiled seeds of Cycas rumphi are eaten by inhabitants of Andaman.
7. Its leaves are used for making mats, hats, L rooms and baskets.
8. Extract of young Cycas leaves is used in the treatment of many skin diseases, blood vomiting and stomach disorders.
9. The decoction of seeds is used as purgative.
10. Tincture prepared from its seeds is used in some areas in headache, nausea, bad throat etc.
11. The terminal buds of Cycas circinalis are used to treat ulcerated wounds and swollen glands.