Cycas seemannii

Family: Cycadaceae

What it is like

A cycad. It grows 8 m tall and the stem is 10-25 cm across. The leaves are about 170 cm long with leaflets along the stalk. There are about 160 leaflets. They are 24 cm long by 1.4 cm wide. The plant varies a lot. The male cones are narrowly oval and 35-75 cm long by 10-15 cm wide. The seeds are 4-6 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.

In Vanuatu it is pictured on the national flag.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It mostly grows in coastal regions. It is common on limestone. Seeds can float in water. It grows in forests, usually in dry places. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Pacific, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The seeds need extensive processing. They are washed and boiled. The starch is extracted.

Edible parts

Seeds, caution, trunk starch

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Logologo, Longolongo, Mwele, Namail, Namele, No-moll, Rongorongo, Roro, Sisila, Wiro

Synonyms

Cycas circinalis subsp. seemannii (A. Br.) J. Schust.; Cycas micronesica K. D. Hill; Cycas rumphii var. seemannii (A. Br.) Parham;