Sago Palm - New Growth

[Solly Mack]

Sago Palms are actually Cycads, an ancient group of seed plants, and not palms at all.

Sago Palms will bloom (maybe) - after 15 years growth.

The Sago Palm is toxic to both cats and dogs - as well as humans. Don't ingest, and don't allow small children or your fur-babies to be around them either. The Sago Palm can kill your fur-babies. No part of this plant is safe.

But, they are interesting.


New growth is easily recognized as the young shoots come up from the center of the plant.



The young shoots are tightly furled and over time start to open up.














They become tiny little question marks or curly-cues.






They sort of look like old telephone cords.




The tip of this new shoot was severed - but it appears to be smiling nonetheless.




This Anole lives in the Sago Palm. He blends nicely. His tail melds into the stem.





He ended up on the side of the wall - watching - and annoyed that I had invaded his home.



The End

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Nice Pics.

We have four and are aware of their toxicity. Another toxic shrub is Oleander.

[Solly Mack]

2. I love Oleander but yeah, it's deadly.

We had several shrubs when we lived in Florida.

I'm seriously considering uprooting the Sago out front. It's an old one though. 40 years old I'm told. Still no blooms though.

Thank you.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Love the shape and look of Sago's,

new they were toxic but the House Management CEO likes them and Rule one is do not mess with the CEO. Was surprised they would survive in 110 degree heat. Understand they are in the Pine Tree Family of Conifers.

[Solly Mack]

6. They are hardy, though too much moisture can kill them.

The people who landscaped the area around here must have liked them too. It does get very hot here, though we do have a rainy season.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. These are amazing photos, my dear Solly Mack!

The level of detail just blows me away.

Superb macro shots.

Wow.

Thank you!



PS--loved the Anole.

[Solly Mack]

5. Thanks, CaliforniaPeggy.

I love anoles too.

[brer cat]

7. These are fascinating.

They sure make an interesting subject for photographs, and the Anole is adorable.

[Solly Mack]

8. Thank you, brer cat.

I liked the way the spikes were unfurling...and the anole lazying about.

[Mira]

9. SPECTACULAR

Words cannot do justice to these. I now must scroll through them again.
I consider this a masterpiece thread. Thank you.

[Solly Mack]

10. Thank you, Mira.

The plant kept calling me, so I gave in.

I tried but I couldn't do it justice. Not really. The new growth is truly spectacular.

[Mira]

11. so is your presentation to us

really special!

[Solly Mack]

12. I was afraid of bringing anything into the house to my dogs.

As visually interesting as I find the plant, it scares me because of my fur-babies. When they go walking, the want to hit my front yard first and I can't allow it. Sago Palms have "nuts" that scatter. I might have to get someone to uproot it and replant it elsewhere.

I am happy you like the photos!

[Mira]

13. I also like the education

I don't think they grow here. But I will investigate!!!
There is Lola. Who is now 7 months old and still tiny to me.

[Solly Mack]

14. Yes! Lola does not need to find one on a walk.

I got a new puppy. Another Dachshund we named Mac.



When I started shooting birds I decided to learn about birds and kind of applied it to everything else. I'm weird that way.

[Mira]

15. I'm over the moon about Mac.

What a precious little fellow. I'm so happy you have him to cuddle and be with you and if he is a puppy in any way as wild as Lola he will help you stay out of trouble.
Absolutely wonderful.
Please when you can and feel like it let us see more photos.

[Solly Mack]

16. He's a bully. No, really, he bullies the older dogs.

They are patient with him and they will show dominance when he goes too far, but Mac is like a toddler in his terrible twos.

Which I sort of find adorable.

Mac is a rescue from a puppy mill. His mom didn't survive and he and his siblings were not being cared for properly.

How is Lola's healing coming along?

[Mira]

17. Lola is good as new after being spayed 2 weeks ago.

She has a temporary house mate at this time. A white best ever mixed breed dog twice her size who is 7 years old, and all Lola wants to do is hug and kiss him. She is 7 months, Jack Russell temperament, and all he wants is to be left in peace.
He's just not that into her.
Which I simply cannot understand
I thought for a minute she had been calmed by being spayed.
NOT

[Solly Mack]

18. No calming a Jack Russell. They are a force. I find them delightful.

Lola is being true to herself. I respect that in animals.

[SHRED]

19. Mine blooms a lot and it's about 8 years old

It's doing it again.

[Solly Mack]

21. Lucky you!

It usually takes longer for them to bloom. Mine was here before I got here, but hasn't bloomed yet. I was told it was around 40 years old.

It's huge, taller than I am and as wide as the wall is in that spot.

[burrowowl]

20. Nice Pics and cut lizard!

[Solly Mack]

22. Thank you. I love Anoles.

[alfredo]

23. Beautiful, mysterious images.

[Solly Mack]

24. Thank you, alfredo.

I thought the plant was in a mysterious phase when I saw the new sprouts. Well, it looked mysterious to me anyway. Nature is a wonder.

I tend to avoid the plant since it is so dangerous to dogs and cats. I worry about some manner of residue coming back in the house with me. I kept my dogs in their room and cleaned up before interacting with them again. I'm a wee bit paranoid when it comes to their safety.

[alfredo]

25. They are like the fiddle heads of fern. Those toxins keep grazing animal away.

I see that people handle the male flower to ensure pollination of the female. I guess they wash up before handling loved ones, including pets.

[CrispyQ]

26. Great pics!

The Sago Palm looks kind of like fiddlehead ferns. Love your bright green friend!

[zentrum]

27. WOW!! nt