Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where do cycads grow naturally?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Gymnosperm Pine cone and exposed seeds of the pinyon pine (*Pinus edulis*). Pinyon pines are gymnosperms and bear their edible seeds, known as pine nuts, in protective cones instead of fruit.

Cycads are plants primarily found in subtropical habitats, where they occupy diverse ecological niches ranging from rainforests and mesophytic savannas to near-desert scrublands.1

While they were once more widespread, as evidenced by fossils found in regions where they are now extinct, modern wild populations are restricted to specific tropical and subtropical areas across the globe. Their natural distribution includes:23

Australia: Home to endemic genera such as Macrozamia, Lepidozamia, and Bowenia.3
Africa: Including regions such as South Africa and Madagascar, with genera like Encephalartos and Stangeria.3
The Americas: Spanning North, Central, and South America, including the Caribbean, with genera such as Zamia, Ceratozamia, Dioon, Microcycas, and Chigua.3
Asia and the Pacific: The genus Cycas is the most wide-ranging, extending from eastern Australia across the Pacific and Indian oceans.3

Due to their limited natural abundance, many wild populations are currently considered endangered.1