Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition
Cycas silvestris K.D.Hill
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Cycas
Stem can reach a height of 8-9 m under favourable conditions but is more commonly encountered in the 3-4 m range.
Individual infructescences about 28 cm long. Seeds ovoid, about 30-35 x 25-30 mm, sarcotesta about 1.5-2 mm thick. Testa or endocarp with a small indentation at one end.
First pair of leaves compound, each leaf with a few linear leaflets. Petiole below the first pair of leaflets armed with spines about 5 mm long. Taproot swollen, carrot-like (Daucus carota). At the tenth leaf stage: leaflet blade about 10 mm wide with a conspicuous raised midrib on the upper surface but no other obvious venation. Spines present at least on the apical half of the petiole. Taproot thick and swollen, carrot-like. Coralloid roots present and sections of these roots reveal congregations of blue-green algae. Seed germination time 49 days.
This plant has considerable horticultural potential for low care gardens.
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