The megasporophylls of Cycas are leaf-like, hairy and brown in colour. Together they form the crown. The upper part of megasporophyll is called pinnule. At its base are 2-4 pairs of large and red ovules. The megasporophyll with the ovule looks like a snake’s hood. It is called Sarpamani (sold as Sarpamani in the market). Inside the ovum are the female cells. Spore mother cells divide by meiosis to produce spores or megaspores. Archegonia are formed from the female sperm. Ovules develop inside the archegonium. Archegonium is the original characteristic of Cycus.