cycad

noun

cy·​cad ˈsī-kəd 

: any of an order (Cycadales) of dioecious cycadophytes that flourished especially during the Jurassic and are represented by four surviving families of palmlike tropical plants

Did you know?

A cycad is a tropical palmlike evergreen plant. Cycads flourished especially during the Jurassic and are represented by four surviving families. Cycads have crowns of large, feathery compound leaves and cones at the ends of their branches. Some have tall, unbranched trunks; others have partially buried stems with swollen trunks. Slow-growing cycads are used as ornamental conservatory plants, but some survive outdoors in temperate regions. The stems of some cycads yield starch that is edible if thoroughly cooked. The young leaves and seeds of others also are edible.

Examples of cycad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The flight back is just as scenic, soaring over the Matthews mountain range — a remote and inaccessible landmark filled with dramatic cliffs, cycad forests, and flowing rivers. —Shaun Stanley, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024

Encephalartos horridus × woodii: This incredibly unique hybrid cycad was created right here at Lotusland using the pollen of the one and only Encephalartos woodii crossed with a female plant of the ultra-blue, ultra-spiny Encephalartos horridus. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024

Paleontologists believe that hungry dinosaurs may have also helped cycads proliferate. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2024

The selection of nearly 500 plant species was guided by their capacity to contribute to this therapeutic atmosphere, with a particular focus on unique and rare specimens, such as the resort’s extensive collection of palms and cycads. —Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Cycad-, Cycas, genus name, from Greek kykas, manuscript variant of koïkas, accusative plural of koïx, a kind of palm

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cycad

noun

cy·​cad ˈsī-kəd 

: a tropical palmlike evergreen plant that is a gymnosperm