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♤ A Gymnosperm tree.
♤ All known as living fossil.
♤ Distribution: Western ghats, Eastern ghats, North East India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
♤ Cycads have been used as a source of starch and also during socio-cultural rituals.
♤ There is some indication that the regular consumption of starch derived from cycads is a factor in the development of Lytico-Bodig disease, a neurological disease with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease and ALS.
♤ Threats: Over harvesting, Deforestation and forest fire.