Japanese sago palm
Cycas revoluta
21.4497, -158.028
Field Notes
Description:
Megasporophyll on a female sago palm--which is not a palm at all, but a cycad.
Habitat:
Suburban neighborhood on tropical upland plateau.
Notes:
The orange ovoids visible within the megasporophyll structure are megasporangia. They are shown more distinctly in the second image, which was cropped from the first. This species is dioecious, which means an individual is either male or female. This species is also very toxic if ingested, and unfortunately such ingestion kills pets on a regular basis. Sago palms are as garden decorations, and pets seems to find them tasty. The megasporangia are the most toxic part of this plant.
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