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Why are cycads often described as palmlike plants?

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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 frequently described as palmlike because of their distinct physical appearance, which closely resembles that of palm trees. This resemblance is primarily due to two key structural characteristics:1

Growth Form: Many cycads develop tall, unbranched, and stout trunks that maintain a similar thickness from the base to the crown. This pachycaulous (thick-stemmed) growth is achieved through the activity of a primary thickening meristem, a feature they share with palms.2
Foliage: Cycads possess large, pinnately compound (featherlike) leaves that grow in a whorl from the top of the trunk, creating a crown that mimics the appearance of a palm.341

While their external appearance is similar, cycads are gymnosperms and are biologically distinct from palms, which are angiosperms (flowering plants). Internally, cycad trunks are characterized by a large, fleshy pith and relatively little woody tissue, whereas palms have a different vascular structure. Additionally, cycads reproduce using cones, whereas palms produce flowers.56234