Did you know that cycads are among the oldest living plant species? These fascinating plants appeared over 300 million years ago—long before dinosaurs—and can still be found today in certain botanical gardens and natural habitats.
During the Jurassic period, cycads dominated vast areas of terrestrial vegetation. That era is often called the “Age of Cycads” in recognition of their ecological importance. These plants coexisted with the great Mesozoic reptiles and were an essential part of the landscape we associate with dinosaurs. Today, however, cycads are a highly threatened plant group.
Botanically, cycads are gymnosperms, like conifers and ginkgos. This means their ovules are exposed at fertilization, not enclosed in an ovary—hence the term “naked seeds,” a key feature of the group.
Another unique trait is that cycads are dioecious: each plant is either male or female, an unusual condition in the plant kingdom but highly relevant from a reproductive perspective.
Currently, around 300 species of cycads are known, grouped into two main families:
Cycadaceae, represented only by the genus Cycas, found in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and southeastern Africa.
Zamiaceae, with various genera, including:
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Dioon – Mexico and Central America
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Encephalartos – Africa
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Zamia – Central and South America, and the Caribbean
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Ceratozamia – Mexico
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Macrozamia and Lepidozamia – Australia
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Bowenia – Australia
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Stangeria – southeastern Africa
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Microcycas – Cuba
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Many species are endangered due to habitat destruction. Slow growth, low reproductive rates, habitat specificity, and specialized pollination systems make cycads particularly vulnerable. According to the IUCN Red List (2022), 69% of cycad species are threatened (VU, EN, CR, or EW). Including near-threatened species (NT), the total rises to 80%.
One of Marimurtra’s key missions is to conserve, study, and expand living plant collections, supporting biodiversity preservation. Marimurtra’s outdoor cycad collection is one of the most significant in Europe, featuring 127 species in both public and cultivation areas—around 41% of known species worldwide.
Highlights include:
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Cycas: 30 of 160 species (18.75%)
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Dioon: 16 of 18 (88.8%)
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Encephalartos: 43 of 66 (65.2%)
To learn more, consult Col·leccions Marimurtra: 1. Cycads, by Pere Fraga and Iván Soto. The book includes an introduction, a detailed catalogue, and a map showing the locations of around 150 species you can see at Marimurtra. More info at marimurtra.cat.
