Project name: Cycas rumphii

Description: Cycads are palm like shrubs comprising about 90 species. They are most primitive seed plants and thus are evolutionary significant. They reproduce by the production of cones and are dioecious. The female cone bears large ovules which develop into seeds when fertilized. Plants mature slowly, taking up to 30 years to become reproductive. It has a large genome of about 20,000 to 30,000 Mb. Genetic studies and genome analysis has therefore been limited in this plant.Cycads have been used as a source of food and medicine in several parts of the world. They are known to produce neurotoxic compounds, BMAA and Cycasin which are highly toxic. The plant part is often processed to remove the toxin before it is consumed. It is also used as an ornamental plant.Cycas is the most widespread genus of Cycads. A genomics Project has been initiated by The Plant Genomics Consortium to understand the evolutionary origins of the seed, fruit and flowers. It is part of a comparative genomics project that will help in the understanding of structure and function of genes in the most primitive living seed plant compared to modern flowering plants.

Last updated: 2004-08-04