GARDENING: A PLANT WITH COMBS.

The kangi palm, also known as the sago palm, is actually not a palm, but a cycad and belongs to the Cycadaceae family. This ornamental plant, which can be kept indoors and is very easy to maintain, is often found in both homes and offices.

Scientifically known as Cycas Revoluta, the kangi palm is characterised by its unique, shiny green and pointed leaves growing in a circular pattern directly from the trunk. It is believed to be native to southern Japan.

The kangi palm is a sturdy plant which can tolerate neglect and doesn't need much sunlight or watering, which is why it does well indoors. All of these factors make it a good choice for those who are not ready to invest ample time in gardening and their plant's maintenance. You will find it in different nurseries as kangi an Urdu word for comb, due to its distinct leaves.

The plant has a swollen trunk sized between six to eight inches wide, typically with no side branches. However, as the plant grows, the trunk branches out as well.

The kangi plant is the perfect house plant for those looking to create a green space without much effort, as it requires minimal care

Depending on the growing space and age of the plant, the oldest kangi palm can grow between 18 to 20 feet in height and spread more than 12 feet in diameter. Overall, in an eight to 12-inch sized pot, the kangi palm remains a small plant of hardly two to three feet in height. It only increases in height and diameter when shifted in the ground or a very large sized container.

The price of this relatively high-priced plant varies, depending on its age and height. Although the growth, even in favourable conditions is relatively slow, the kangi palm can live anywhere from 50 to 100 years!

The feather-like leaves of the kangi palm are generally one-and-a-half feet to five feet long. Each leaf contains very stiff leaflets, which are around three to seven inches long. These leaflets have strong revolute edges, which also accounts for the plant's scientific name Cycas Revoluta.

The kangi palm sucker separated from the parent plant

The kangi palm is dioecious, meaning it can either be male or female. The shape of the cone helps to ascertain the gender of the palm. The male kangi palm produces a cone-like structure, which is yellow in colour and around a foot to two feet in size. On the contrary, the female kangi palm produces a football-sized round structure, which lies in the centre of the trunk top.

Seeds of the female kangi palm can be...

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