Macrozamia communis

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Macrozamia communis
Macrozamia communis
Macrozamia communis
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Macrozamia
Species: M. communis
Binomial name
Macrozamia communis
L.A.S.Johnson, 1959

Macrozamia communis is an Australian cycad found on the east coast of New South Wales. The common name for the species is burrawang, a word derived from the Daruk Australian Aboriginal language; this name is also often applied to other species of Macrozamia.

The burrawang has the most extensive distribution of any cycad in New South Wales and is found along the coast from the district around Armidale, New South Wales to Bega 700 km south and on the coastal slopes of the Great Dividing Range with some instances on the inland slopes of the range; as far west as the Mudgee district. It is most abundant on the south coast of the state [2].

The plants grow in open forests [3].

Burrawang seeds, Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Burrawang seeds, Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Seed cones are formed after fire. Male and female seed cones are on separate plants and the large female seeds are ripe when red or yellow [3].

The seeds of the burrawang are a good source of starch but are poisonous to eat unless treated. The Cadigal people pounded and soaked the seeds in water for a week, changing the water daily. The pulp was then made into cakes and roasted over hot embers [4].

Although present-day British seed merchants suggest that the species "continued survival must depend upon their cultivation for horticulture" [5], the conservation status of the species is "not considered to be at risk" [6].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hill (2003). Macrozamia communis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
  2. ^ Kennedy, P. (1993). Macrozamia communis. Cycads. Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia (PACSOA). Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  3. ^ a b Burrawang. Australian Aboriginal ethnobotany. Australian National Botanic Gardens (2003). Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  4. ^ Aboriginal bush foods. Botanical information - Botanic Gardens Trust - Sydney, Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW). Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  5. ^ Macrozamia communis for £3.47. Seed catalogue. Chiltern seeds (UK online shopping site) (2005). Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  6. ^ Hill, K. (2004). Macrozamia communis. The Cycad Pages. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.