You might not know it, but there’s a highly poisonous plant growing all over the place in Nevada. The sago palm tree is an ornamental plant that many Nevadans have in their yards. These plants are native to Japan, but they have become quite popular in the United States because they grow well in a variety of different warm environments. However, these plants can make you or your pets sick, so it’s important that you learn a little bit more about them before installing one in your yard.

The sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is a very common and very pretty type of palm tree. They grow quite slowly; they can grow to 20 feet in height, but to get that big, it will usually take 50-100 years. More often, these "trees" look like bushes.
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This plant can be very toxic to humans and animals if consumed. Although most people don't go around eating parts of palm trees on people's property, for some reason, pets are drawn to this plant. They seem to find it quite tasty.
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When a dog or cat eats some of a sago palm, symptoms will begin to appear in about 12 hours. They may vomit, have diarrhea, become weak, or have seizures. These symptoms will eventually lead to liver failure and death.
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If a person were to eat part of a sago palm, they would experience the same symptoms and dangers.

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The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center estimates that between 50% and 75% of pets that eat sago palm will die from the poison. If you suspect that your pet has eaten some of this plant, contact a vet immediately.
Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
If a human has eaten some of it, don't delay - go right to the emergency room.
Because of these dangers, you will likely find it quite surprising that this plant is used for food in some parts of the world. Sago is a starch extracted from the spongy core. Sago is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Maluku Islands.
Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
They know how to harvest the part of the plant that is not toxic or fatal. You do not!
This palm is very beautiful, but it can be very dangerous.
Danorton, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Make sure you are aware of these dangers, since the sago palm is a very popular plant in yards and gardens in Nevada. Keep your pets away from them, and your children, too.
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Do you have a sago palm in your yard? Do you know anyone else that does? Now you know – this plant can be very dangerous! You don’t necessarily need to remove it – it’s a very pretty plant, after all – but now that you’re aware, you know to be careful and to keep your pets and little ones away from it. Stay safe, Nevada!

Want to learn more about plants of The West and of Nevada in particular? Check out this book on more helpful, less harmful plants – Mountain States Medicinal Plants – from REI!

 

 

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