Cycas ophiolitica K.D.Hill

Stems to 2 (-7) m tall. Leaves 95-140 cm long, moderately to strongly keeled (opposing pinnae inserted at 80-120° on rachis), with 170-220 pinnae, dark green or grey-green (bluish when new), semi-glossy. Petiole 18-35 cm long, spinescent or unarmed (rarely) for 0-80% of length. Median pinnae 14-24 cm long, 6-7.5 mm wide, narrowed to 3.5-5 mm at base (to 55-80% of maximum width), inserted at 45-70° to rachis, 6-9 mm apart, glabrous (sometimes slightly pubescent); margins recurved; midrib flat above, raised below. Cataphylls linear, soft, 4-7 cm long. Pollen cones ovoid, 17 cm long, 8 cm diam., orange. Microsporophyll lamina 32-40 mm long, 10-14 mm wide; apical spine 7-11 mm long. Megasporophylls 18-30 cm long, with 2-6 ovules; lamina lanceolate, 40-70 mm long, 12-30 mm wide, regularly dentate with 22-36 lateral spines 1-5 mm long and 1 mm wide; apical spine 8-20 mm long. Seeds 29-33 mm long, 28-32 mm wide.

This species grows best in red clays over serpentinites. The habitat is poorly conserved, and the species is under significant commercial collecting pressure.

The seeds need special processing before being eaten.

Plants can be grown from seeds,