176-Year-Old Rare Cycad Palm in Full Bloom at Lahore’s Lawrence Garden

A 176-year-old Queen Sago Palm, belonging to an ancient plant lineage that dates back nearly 280 million years, has put out its full crown of leaves at Lahore’s historic Lawrence Garden, highlighting the presence of one of the world’s most threatened groups of plants.

The rare tree belongs to the Cycad family, a prehistoric group of seed-bearing plants that existed long before dinosaurs appeared on Earth. The tree is even older than Lawrence Garden itself, which was established in the 1860s as a botanical garden and recreational space modelled on London’s famous Kew Gardens.

Cycads first appeared in the fossil record during the Permian period, approximately 280 to 300 million years ago. They became particularly widespread during the Mesozoic Era, when dinosaurs dominated the planet. Their abundance during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods led scientists to describe that era as both the “Age of Dinosaurs” and the “Age of Cycads”.

Herbivorous dinosaurs, including long-necked sauropods, are believed to have fed on Cycad foliage, cones and nutrient-rich seeds, making these plants an important part of prehistoric ecosystems.

Cycads are commonly known as “living fossils” because their basic structure has remained largely unchanged over hundreds of millions of years. They are also recognised for their exceptionally slow growth and remarkable longevity. Horticulture experts say Sago Palms generally require four to five hours of sunlight daily and relatively little water once established. Their ability to survive in comparatively dry conditions and poor soils has contributed to their longevity.

Despite their ancient origins and resilience, Cycads are now among the most threatened plant groups in the world. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, approximately 60 per cent of assessed Cycad species face the threat of extinction in their natural habitats.

in a statement, the PHA spokesperson said the authority was responsible for maintaining the province’s green cover and managing some of the world’s oldest prehistoric trees. He said the presence of a prehistoric Sago Palm in Lahore was particularly significant because it also belonged to a threatened plant group.

The 176-year-old Queen Sago Palm remains a remarkable natural heritage asset, offering a rare glimpse into a plant lineage that survived for millions of years before the emergence of modern life.