Sago Palm - the dinosaur of the garden

From the Hattiesburg American: Sago Palm - the dinosaur of the garden
There is a dinosaur in our garden! No, I'm not referring to our out-dated weedeater with its stubborn starter, nor to my favorite old gardening tool (my father's more than 60-year old cement trowel).

Our dinosaur is a Sago Palm tree which descended from primitive plants dating back to and flourishing when real dinosaurs roamed the earth. While other species in this family have become extinct (like the dinosaurs), botanists report that the Sago palm has evolved only slightly during the millions of years of its existence.

Although the Sago palm was first described in the 1800's as a native to Southern Japan, this fossilized tree has now been located on several continents. These early fossils show characteristics nearly identical to today's Sago palms, giving scientists reason to refer to the ancient plant as a living fossil.

At first glance the Sago palm may appear similar to palm trees; however, the Sago palm is not really a palm. This cultivar belongs to a completely different genus of plants known as Cycads.

When children visit our garden, I explain to them that all parts of the plant are poisonous. I am careful to point out the sharp spikes on the Sago's curling leaves as I wonder aloud if these helped defend the Sago from the plant-devouring dinosaurs?

Thick dark green leaves on the plant support a crown from which a cone usually sprouts by its fourth year. The slow growing ever expanding trunk hugs the ground during the plant's early years.

It takes a hundred years for this plant to reach maturity. In this time it often forms several crown producing branches.

Although the dinosaurs no longer grace our world, there is little danger of the Sago palm becoming extinct. It is the most often propagated and marketed Cycad in the world. Propagated by seed and sucker plants, its distinctive male or female cones are usually pollinated by insects.

Plants are carried locally by garden centers and may be planted in late winter. It adapts well to various types of soil and thrives in tropical and temperate gardens.

In South Mississippi the Sago palm performs better when planted in the ground in quick draining humus soil under full sun and allowed to dry out between watering times. Gardeners should fertilize it in the spring with a topical mixture which includes micro-elements.

It is hardy down to 17 degrees, but lower temperatures usually only discolor and damage its leaves which are normally replaced in the spring.

We've named our Sago palm Rex in honor the giant plant-devouring dinosaurs which once thrived in North America, not only to impress my young friends, but to remind them of the Sago palm's ancient history.