1. Root: The main root of Cycas is transient. Abdominal roots are formed after the main root is destroyed. Abdominal roots grow underground. Some parts of the adventitious root emerge above the soil and bifurcate to form branches. Above ground these root bacteria are attacked by Nostoc, Anabaena etc. The normal shape of these affected roots changes and becomes deformed. Because the distorted shape of the root resembles that of sea coral or coral, they are called coralloid roots or coral roots or root tubercles. The part of the cortex of the coralloid root where Nostoc and Anabina reside is called the algal layer.
2. Stem: The stem of Cycas is straight, long, sessile, stout and cylindrical. It grows up to 8-14 feet tall. Some species are even taller. When the apex of the stem breaks, the stem becomes branched. It is covered with temporary leaves like armor. It has a permanent leaf scar.
3. Leaves: Cycas have two types of leaves at the top of the stem. Leaflets and invoices.
(i) Leaves or Compound: Leaves are simple, green, smooth, large and pinnately compound. It is spirally arranged at the tip of the stem and forms a crown-like structure. Rackets contain 50-100 pairs or 100-200 leaflets. The leaves are obtuse, thick and leathery. Its length is 1.0-2.7 m. The mature leaves have a midvein, the veins and subveins are indistinct. Immature and young leaves are coiled like ferns. This condition is called sarcinate vernation.
(ii) Sepals: Sepals are small and covered with brown hairs. It is alternately furnished with foliage. It covers the bud of compound leaves.
Cycas leaves have some similarities with the leaves of palm plants and ferns. Hence Cycas is called pumpfern.