The Rest of ASIA

USES

As a food or commodity

In Malaysia, Phillipines, Assam, Indonesia, Ceylon, Japan, Andaman, Aru, Kei Islands, Fiji, Senegal, Nicobar Island, Moluccas, India, Ryukyus (Okinawa) Cycas is used as a food source. Different parts of the plant and different preparation methods are used.

As a sacred or medicinal plant

Japan - Popular culturally, the countries 1000 year old cycad is celebrated on a commemorative stamp! They are used as ornamentals and bonsai. In Buddhism the plant has a special meaning, being a sign of immortality (Miquel 1868).

Java - Cycads are planted round tombs (Whiting 1963).

India - Temples decorated with Cycas fronds and, after conversion to christianity, fronds were used to decorate churches (Whiting 1963).