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Which cycad genera are truly monopodial in their growth?
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Cycadophyte
Cycas circinalis.
Within the group of cycadophytes, the members of three specific genera are considered truly monopodial in their growth: Macrozamia, Lepidozamia, and Encephalartos.
In these genera, the cones are initiated to the side, allowing the plant to maintain a monopodial growth form. While many other cycads may appear monopodial, their growth is actually sympodial; in those cases, the apical meristem is transformed into a cone, and a new vegetative meristem must arise to one side to continue growth, which displaces the cone.1