Tag: Sago palm toxicity

Despite its prehistoric lineage and ornamental popularity, every part of the cycad palm is highly toxic and not edible. This ancient group of plants, often mistaken for true palms, contains potent neurotoxins and carcinogens that pose a severe health risk to humans and animals.

According to the ASPCA, ingestion of the sago palm is one of the most toxic exposures for pets, with a survival rate of only 50% even with aggressive treatment. However, this ornamental plant is often confused with the edible sago starch used in cooking, leading to a dangerous myth. Understanding the difference is crucial for preventing a potentially fatal mistake.

Over 5,000 years of documented human use of palms demonstrate that certain palm kernels are indeed edible, but safety depends entirely on the species. The edibility of palm kernels is a crucial distinction, as while some, like those from the oil palm tree, yield useful products, others are highly toxic.