Cycas is the genus of the type and the only genus recognized by the Cycadaceae family. The first cycad species to be described was Cycas circinalis, a species endemic to India, and was the type of the generic name, Cycas.

Cycas is the type genus and the only genus recognised in the family Cycadaceae. About 113 species are accepted. Cycas circinalis, a species endemic to India was the first cycad species to be described and was the type of the generic name, Cycas. The best-known Cycas species is Cycas revoluta.