Zamia Palm, Mount Surprise cycad
Cycas cairnsiana
Family: Cycadaceae
What it is like
A small palm like plant. It has a trunk 2-5 m tall. The trunk is stout and swollen at the base. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 1-2 m long. The stalk is hairy and slightly bluish. The leaflets are narrow and the edges are curled under. Leaflets are V shaped and 6-15 cm long by 0.4 cm wide. The male cone is oval and golden brown. The female spikes are sword shaped and rusty brown. The fruit are shiny brown and about 2 cm long.
There are about 20-40 Cycas species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in stony shallow soils in Northeast Queensland in Australia.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds, caution
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed which is best sown fresh. Seed should only be half buried. Seedlings are hard to establish.