Innehållsförteckning
What are cycads?
Cycads are an ancient group of seed plants with a crown of large compound leaves and a stout trunk. They are a minor component of the flora in tropical and subtropical regions today, but during the Jurassic Period, they were a common sight in many parts of the world. For this reason, the Jurassic is often referred to as the ”Age of Cycads”.
What is the distribution of Cycas?
Distribution of Cycas: Cycas, the largest genus among the Old World Cycads, is the most widely distributed genus of order Cycadales. It is distributed in Japan, Australia, India, Indochina, China, Mauritius, Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
How old is the cycad lineage?
Although the cycad lineage itself is ancient, most extant species have evolved in the last 12 million years. The family Stangeriaceae (named for Dr. William Stanger, 1811–1854), consisting of only three extant species, is thought to be of Gondwanan origin, as fossils have been found in Lower Cretaceous deposits in Argentina, dating to 70–135 mya.
How can the range of cycads be inferred?
The probable former range of cycads can be inferred from their global distribution. For example, the family Stangeriaceae only contains three extant species in Africa and Australia.
What are Cycads? Cycad plants are hardy, evergreen gymnosperms (cone-bearing plants) that grow in sand or hard rock. Cycads are dioecious plants; there are separate male and female plants. The female plant produces seeds, and the male plant produces cones filled with pollen.
Can the SANBI cycad ID tool be used to identify cycad seedlings?
Please note that the tool is not designed to aid in identification of cycad seedlings. The SANBI Cycad ID Tool forms part of the SANBI Species Identification Tool which currently consists of 140 CITES-listed South African plant and animal species, their look-alike species as well as traded parts and derivatives.
Is Encephalartos barteri a cycad?
Encephalartos barteri is the only cycad species recorded in West Africa.? Encephalartos barteri Cycas pectinata has the most widespread distribution in South Asia, and is the only South Asian cycad species found outside India and Sri Lanka.
Which cycad species are found in South Asia?
Encephalartos barteri Cycas pectinata has the most widespread distribution in South Asia, and is the only South Asian cycad species found outside India and Sri Lanka.?