Zamia Palm, Muninga
Cycas angulata

Family: Cycadaceae

What it is like

A large palm like plant. It grows 3-10 m high. The trunk is 40-85 cm across. The trunk can be branched. Separate male and female plants occur. The leaves are compound with dark green fronds. These may be 1 m long. They have 100 or more pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 7-17 cm long by 0.4-0.6 cm wide. The edges curl upwards and the tip is pointed. The male cone is yellowish-brown and 20 cm long. It is at the end of the trunk. The female spikes are large and hairy and hang down. They have 3-6 fruit. The fruit are hard and round. They are 3.5-4.5 cm long by 3-3.5 cm wide. They turn orange when ripe. There is a single seed inside.

There are about 15-50-60 (89) Cycas species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open woodland often near streams. It grows in regions with hot humid summers and dry mild winters. Rainfalls of 1200-1500 mm occur.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Torres Strait

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten after thorough preparation and cooking. They are poisonous unprocessed. Caution: Because they can cause cancer they are best not eaten.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, caution

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can be grown from suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Bussamargh

Synonyms

Cycas arnhemica K.D.Hill; Cycas badensis K.D.Hill; Cycas brunnea K.D.Hill; Cycas canalis subsp. carinata K.D.Hill; Cycas couttsiana K.D.Hill; Cycas desolata P.I.Forst.; Cycas ophiolitica K.D.Hill; Cycas orientis K.D.Hill; Cycas platyphylla K.D.Hill; Cycas semota K.D.Hill; Cycas tuckeri K.D.Hill; Cycas yorkiana K.D.Hill;