Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genus of plants: Cycas is the type genus of the family Cycadaceae, comprising a group of Old World, evergreen, tropical trees. These plants are characterized by pinnate (feather-like) leaves and a columnar trunk that is often covered with the persistent bases of old leaves.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The garden features a large Cycas specimen near the entrance.
  • Fossil records show that Cycas has existed since the time of the dinosaurs.
  • Botanists study the reproductive cycle of Cycas.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The genus name is always italicized in scientific writing. Species within this genus are referred to with a binomial name, e.g., (the Sago Palm).
  • The most commonly cultivated species is Cycas revoluta.

Variants and Related Words

• Cycad (n): The common name for plants belonging to the order Cycadales, which includes the genus and other related genera.
  • Cycads, including Cycas, are often mistaken for palms or ferns.
• Cycadaceae (n): The botanical family to which the genus belongs.

Synonyms

• Sago palm (common name for ): Note that this is a common name for a specific species, not a true synonym for the entire genus.
• Cycad: A broader term for plants in the order, often used interchangeably in non-scientific contexts.

Related Terms and Phrases

• Pinnate leaves: A phrase describing the leaf structure typical of .
• Columnar stem: A phrase describing the trunk shape characteristic of these plants.

Noun

1. type genus of Cycadaceae: genus of widely distributed Old World evergreen tropical trees having pinnate leaves and columnar stems covered with persistent bases of old leaves