Central Australian Zamia, MacDonnell Macrozamia
Macrozamia macdonnellii
Family: Zamiaceae
What it is like
A medium sized cycad. The trunk can be erect or lie along the ground. The trunk is 3 m long and 1 m across. The young leaves are powdery blue. The bases are pink. There are many mature leaves forming a graceful rounded crown. The leaves are 1.5-2.5 m long by 30-40 cm wide. They are powdery blue green and swollen and woolly at the base. There are many leaflets crowded along the stalk. The tip is sharp. The average leaflet is 20-30 cm long by 0.7-1.1 cm wide. The cones are different. Male cones are 25-40 cm long by 8-10 cm wide. They are usually curved. Female cones are 40-50 cm long by 20-27 cm wide. They are barrel shaped. The seeds are 6-8 cm long by 3.5-5 cm wide. They are oblong and orange to red.
There are about 25 Macrozamia species.
Where it is found
It grows naturally in Central Australia. It is usually on the bare sides or rock gorges. They are in a semi-arid climate. It suits temperate and drier subtropical climates. It does not do well in humid regions. It is best with full sun. It can tolerate heavy frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Caution
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Each seed can weigh 50g.
Its other names
Local names
Sikas MacDonnell