Cycas

Cycas is a genus of cycad, and the only genus in the family Cycadaceae, with all other genera of cycad being within the Zamiaceae family. Cycas circinalis, a species endemic to India, was the first cycad species to be described in western literature, and is the type species of the genus. As of April 2024, there are 119 accepted species within the genus Cycas, native to Asia, Oceania, and eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean region, with the largest number of species native to Australia, China and Vietnam. In horticulture, the most widely grown and perhaps best-known Cycas species is Cycas revoluta, which is commercially grown in large numbers for sale as houseplants or to be used in landscaping. The majority of Cycas species are highly endangered. Many are threatened by the illegal trade of wild collected plants for plant collectors, and through the conversion of land for urban development or agricultural use.