Among coniferous plants, there are three major orders. They are cycads, ginkgoes and conifers. Cycads are one of the most primitive plants that bear seeds. They resemble ferns in many ways.
There are about 150 species of cycads. Some of them are found in very remote and restricted areas. Many cycads trees bear poisonous seeds, which look like nuts. The contie, a small and tough cycad, produces a starch called Florida Arrowroot or sago, which is edible.The plant is also known as Sago palm.
Some cycads have tuberous underground stems. Some have leathery, fern-like leaves and others have a columnar stems, which are often mistaken for palms.
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