Cycad: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Cycads - Cycadophyta
Scientific classification
: Plantae Division: Cycadophyta Class: Cycadopsida Order: Cycadales
Families
Cycadaceae cycas family Stangeriaceae stangeria family Zamiaceae zamia family

Cycads are a group of palm-like plants. The cycads are a subset of the gymnosperms, the seed-bearing, non-flowering plants. The cycads were very common in the Mesozoic era, especially during the Jurassic period. In fact, the Jurassic period is known as the Age of Cycads. Today cycads are only found in the tropical or subtropical areas of the world. There are three main families of Cycads today: Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, and Zamiaceae. The best known cycad is the sago palm which is often kept as a houseplant. The sago palm is not related to the true palms.

Cycads have been reported to fix nitrogen in association with a cyanobacterium living in the roots of the plant [1]. This blue-green alga produces a neurotoxin called BMAA that is found in the fruits of cycads. [2]