Cycads have had considerably less research due to a general perception as esoteric taxonomic relicts. However, renewed interest in the cycads has been quite diverse as evident by the papers included here. This volume represents 21 papers presented at the symposium CYCAD 87 held in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France in 1987. Topics cover current research trends on the Cycadales which are loosely catagorized by historical perspective; morphology; reproductive biology and vegatative propagation; cytology, karyology, and physiology; phytochemistry; ecology and ethnobotany; systematics and floristics. New species are presented including a new genus, Chigua, previously unknown.