Macrozamia riedlei

Botanical Description

Macrozamia riedlei is a slow-growing, evergreen, palm-like plant usually with a subterranean stem but sometimes becoming emergent to a height of up to 25cm and and 24 - 40cm in diameter; this is topped by a crown of around 10 - 30, erect to spreading large leaves each around 120 - 220cm long[ 1935 Title The Cycads Publication Author Whitelock L.M. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-522-5 Description An excellent book dealing with the eleven different genera and almost 300 species of plants we know as Cycads. There are detailed descriptions and a host of other information for each species. ] Although poisonous unless properly treated, this species has been an important source of food for the native people where it grows. The plant is also of potential importance as a source of starch for food and other purposes, and is grown as an ornamental. Although Macrozamia riedlei has declined in parts of its range due to habitat loss, it is an extremely abundant and resilient species that is not regarded as threatened. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].