Cycas pectinata, commonly known as the Fern Palm, Himalayan Cycad, or Pectinate Cycad, is a striking and ancient plant species belonging to the Cycadaceae family. This cycad is native to the eastern Himalayas and surrounding regions, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and southern China. It is revered for its prehistoric appearance, with features that have remained unchanged for millions of years, making it a living fossil.
The Fern Palm can grow into a large, tree-like cycad, reaching heights of 3-10 meters (10-33 feet), with a trunk diameter of up to 40 cm (16 inches). The trunk is typically solitary, topped with a crown of long, arching, feathery fronds that can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) long. The leaves are pinnate and dark green, with numerous narrow, linear leaflets arranged in a pectinate (comb-like) pattern, which gives the plant its name.
