Black Bamboo

Cycads have a stout, usually short, trunk, topped by multifoliate/compound leaves.

They arrived in Europe in the 18th century, with the glory days of the British Empire and the exploration of the world. Despite their appearance, they are not closely related to palms.

Originating from the tropical regions, cycads are relatively unusual now but at the time of the dinosaurs, in the Jurassic period, they were one of the most common plant types.

Cycads are now a threatened species, due to deforestation and harvesting. Therefore wherever posible cycads shoul be grown from seed rather than from transplanting existing stock or breaking up existing plants.

The main problem with this approach is that the seeds do not survive drying out, and the young plants are subject to fungal attack. Despite these problems, this remains the only internationally recommended way to produce cycads.

The plants require sunlight, and freely draining soil - a major cause of Cycads dying is overwatering. They can survive well in large pots / half-barrels, but do need to very well protected in cooler climates.

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