A “cycad” is a type of plant belonging to the order Cycadales, which includes various tropical and subtropical plants characterized by a stout, woody trunk and large, evergreen, compound leaves. Cycads are often referred to as “living fossils” because they have existed for over 250 million years and have changed little over that time. They reproduce via cones and are gymnosperms, meaning they do not produce flowers or seeds enclosed in fruit. Cycads are often found in warm climates and are known for their distinctive, palm-like appearance.
