Is sago palm native to India?

Answer 1

There are two different types of trees usually referred to as Sago Palm. One belongs to Cycas genus and is growing in many countries of South Asia. May be (and probably) it is native to India, besides South Japan and many other locations. But ask me again later: I'll know for sure (new_jalsomino at yahoo.com). This Cycas is not really a palm, even though it looks like the last.. Another species is Metroxylon sagu, which is NOT native to India, but rather to Indonesia-Malaysia-Moluccas-Philippines region. Both trees can be used as food, but the former one is poisonous if not cooked properly. Beware. The later species is easier to cook and so it is a more famous source of Sago starch. It's a very good tree, because nobody needs to work hard for it's cultivation. God gave men of all countries many various sources of free food. It's a pity that so many foreigners today destroy native trees in their own and in other countries, and plant instead species which require hard work for their cultivation. Thus they also damage out planet's climate. Local flora must be preserved in each place - without making any barriers between local Natural Resources and local indigenous communities.