The king sago palm is perhaps the most well-known cycad in the world. It is sold worldwide, used in landscaping, greenhouses, and botanical gardens everywhere. This is likely due to the fact that the king sago is one of the only cycads that can be grown in more temperate regions, tolerating temperatures even below 0 Celsius. They are also very hardy, able to grow with minimal light and care. In Japan, they are often grown as bonsai trees. The leaves themselves, which can stay green for a long time after being removed from their tree, are also highly admired. They are exported around the world, where they are commonly used for religious ceremonies such as Palm Sunday in Catholic churches, weddings, festivals, and even for construction. Many tribes in the sago’s habitat use the leaves as thatching for huts, baskets, brooms, and other essentials.

The king sago palm has a few medicinal uses as well. The seeds of the tree can be used to treat ailments related to bowels or stomach problems. A paste can be formed from the starch to help treat minor wounds and skin irritations. Again, there is always the risk of toxins, so these medicines must be prepared by experts. The sago palm’s stem is also used for construction, though not commercially due to the relatively small size of the tree. It is primarily the leaves that are used worldwide, though these are for more decorative purposes. The toxins have been used for some rather cruel purposes, such as making drinks to kill unwanted members in some tribes. This gives the king sago palm a very peculiar role as both a provider of life and death in many cultures. The tree’s use as both an essential food source and a source of poison and death make it a sort of paradox, almost seeming like two plants in one.