According to the IUCN - World Conservation Union’s Cycad Specialist Group, cycads represent one of the most threatened plant groups in the world. More than half of the 320+ species are threatened or endangered. As the motto above indicates, the Cycad Society (TCS) is dedicated to the conservation of cycads through the promotion of education and scientific research. Each year, TCS strives to award at least one grant to support conservation, research and/or education. Click here for information on TCS’s grant program.

TCS was started in 1977, and many of the charter members are still with the society. In 1999, the board of directors met during the 5th International Conference on Cycad Biology (CYCAD 99) in an attempt to reinvigorate the society. Ever since 1999, the board has actively strived to improve the society and increase member benefits. Two of the most important benefits of TCS membership are the Cycad Newsletter and the Cycad Society Seedbank.

Members are encouraged to become involved in the society, and a good place to start is by contributing to the Cycad Newsletter. If you have any landscape photos, questions, or tips/tools to contribute, please send them to info@cycad.org. We will make every effort to get your material put into an issue of the newsletter. Click here for more information on member involvement.

Another way that members can get involved is by serving on a committee. Click here to see the existing standing committees, open positions, and committee responsibilities.

The buttons to the left provide links to additional areas of the TCS website and information about the society. Please take a few moments to explore the site.

Join TCS! Click here if you are not currently a TCS member or if you would like to renew your membership online (via PayPal).

Cycad Educational Resources

The Cycad Society has developed some helpful new educational resources for cycad enthusiasts. Some of these are provided below.

Cycad Focus Articles

One of the consistent components of the Cycad Newsletter since the September 2002 issue (Vol. 25, No. 3) has been the "Cycad Focus" column, in which a different species of cycad is highlighted in each issue. These columns typically feature taxonomical, horticultural, phenological, and other information on the respective 'target' species. Visit the "Newsletter" page for more information, to see the list of species addressed to date, and to read some of the focus articles.

IUCN Red List

All throughout 2010, the IUCN Red List website featured a different threatened or endangered "Species of the Day". Below are the cycads that were highlighted:

Glossary of Cycad Terms

In 2009, TCS developed an expanded glossary of more than 1,200 cycad terms (using the Glossary of Terms Encountered in Cycad Systematics provided in Walters & Osborne [2004] as a foundation) as well as a fully illustrated glossary of more than 500 of these terms using cycad-specific examples. Click here for more information.

Etymological Compendium of Cycad Names

Also in 2009, TCS compiled a list of the etymologies (= meanings) of all currently accepted cycad names. Click here to view this etymological compendium.

Poster Keys

TCS is offering a “Key to the Species of Dioon” poster for sale. The poster is printed on heavy quality paper, measures 24" x 36", and costs only $25 (including shipping within the US). Proceeds from the sale of the posters will go toward cycad research, conservation, and/or education. Click here to preview a larger version of the poster or to order yours online!

TCS also has a similar “Key to the Species of Ceratozamia” poster for sale. This poster is also printed on heavy quality paper, measures 24" x 36", and also costs only $25 (including shipping within the US). Proceeds from the sale of all posters will go toward cycad research, conservation, and/or education. Click here to preview a larger version of the poster or to order yours online!

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