Sago Palms are not palms at all, but Cycads: Cycad revoluta. It turns out that Cycads are not actually living fossils that have survived since dinosaur times but a modern lineage of plants that re-evolved after going extinct along with the dinosaurs.
My country is home to many species of cycads and these are protected species, requiring a permit to be kept. I have 2 indigenous Encephalartos seedlings that I bought at a flea market, although I still didn't get around to getting a permit for them.
Sago palms are native to Japan and don't require permits and I got this young plant yesterday
Of course I picked this plant for the weird growth I saw at the base of the caudex. Here's a closeup:
Sago palms are known for making pups but it seems odd for a pup to form in a plant so young. So what is it? Roots gone wild? Any suggestions are welcome.
Like all cycads, these are extremely slow growing so I think I will just keep it outside in a pot for now - It may look like something in a bout 5 years from now. I repotted my other cycad seedlings and they have made one or two fronds in the time that I have had them but it will be a while before they are even identifiable.
