Cycads are ancient seed plants that belong to the group known as Cycadophyta. They have a stout trunk and large, feathery leaves that resemble those of palms. Cycads are often found in tropical and subtropical regions and can live for many years, with some species being over 1,000 years old. These plants reproduce using cones, with male and female cones produced on separate plants. Cycads are known for their unique appearance and are sometimes referred to as "living fossils" because they have existed for over 300 million years, surviving various mass extinctions that affected other plant groups.