Cycas multipinnata

Cycas multipinnata
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Cycadophyta
Class:	Cycadopsida
Order:	Cycadales
Family:	Cycadaceae
Genus:	Cycas
Species:	C. multipinnata
Binomial name
Cycas multipinnata C.J.Chen & S.Y.Yang

Cycas multipinnata (or Epicycas multipinnata), common name Royal Sago, is a species of cycad of the Sago Palm Family (Cycadaceae) in southwestern China and northern Vietnam. It is one of the tuberous species which some taxonomists segregate as the genus Epicycas, and has the longest leaf stalks (petioles) of any Gymnosperm; up to 3.4 metres (11 ft). Cultivated plants have had petioles as long as 4 m (13 ft). ^{[2] [3]} The total length of the bipinnate frond can be up to 7 m (23 ft). Uniquely, the ultimate pinnules are Y-shaped. This very conspicuous plant somehow escaped notice until 1994. Among Gymnosperms, these fronds are exceeded in weight only by Encephalartos laurentianus , and the blade (lamina) of C. multipinnata is by far the largest.

Distribution

Cycas multipinnata is found in: ^[4]

• Red River gorge in eastern Yunnan
• Honghe Nature Cycad Reserve, Yunnan
• Xilong Mountain Natural Reserve, Yunnan
• western Guangxi, China
• Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam

It likely occurs in Honghe, Jianshui, Mengla, and Mile counties of Yunnan. ^[5]

References

1. Nguyen, H.T. (2010). "Cycas multipinnata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T42048A10637701. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T42048A10637701.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Botanical Review Volume 7 issue 2 (April–June 2004) p. 164
3. https://www.plantapalm.com/vce/taxonomy/cycadaceae7.htm
4. Nguyen, H.T. (2010). "Cycas multipinnata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T42048A10637701. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T42048A10637701.en . Retrieved 11 January 2020.
5. Whitelock, Loran M. 2002. The Cycads. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN   0-88192-522-5