Although not a true palm, its growth habit is superficially similar to a palm; other names include Cardboard Plant, Cardboard Sago, Cardboard Cycad, and Mexican Cycad (Mexican Spanish: "Cícada Mexicana").
Although not a palmtree (Arecaceae), its growth habit is superficially similar to a palm; therefore it is commonly known as "Cardboard Palm" but the alternate name Cardboard Cycad is preferrable. Other names include Cardboard Plant, Cardboard Sago, Jamaican Sago and Mexican Cycad (from Mexican Spanish "Cícada Mexicana").