Stems to 3 (-4) m tall. Leaves 100-200 cm long, flat (not keeled) in section (opposing pinnae inserted at 180° on rachis), with 90-200 pinnae, pale to mid-green, highly glossy. Petiole 30-50 cm long, spinescent for 10-90% of length. Median pinnae 15-37 cm long, 9-15 mm wide, narrowed to 3.5-5 mm at base (to 25-40% of maximum width), inserted at 45-60° to rachis, 11-17 mm apart, glabrous; margins slightly recurved; midrib flat above, raised below. Cataphylls linear, pungent, 13 cm long. Pollen cones not seen. Megasporophylls 25-38 cm long, with 2-10 ovules; lamina narrowly triangular, 30-85 mm long, 15-45 mm wide, regularly dentate with 20-36 lateral spines 2-4 mm long and 1-2 mm wide; apical spine 8-26 mm long. Seeds 30-35 mm long, 25-30 mm wide.
Grows in subcoastal forests.These quite rich and complex rainforests and Melaleuca-dominated forests occur on white siliceous old beach-dune sands, and this cycad appears to be confined to that substrate.
Home