Cycas (Cycas spp.)

Family: Cycadaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Cycas spp. is an evergreen Perennial growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Cycad nuts are edible in some species and used as a famine food once processed. (see individual plants) but many are toxic. They are high in starch. — Cycad nuts are edible in some species and used as a famine food once processed.; (see individual plants) but many are toxic.; They are high in starch.

Habitat & North American Range

Species for sun and shade, desert, swamp, and rain forest . (Zone 8)