Species profile—Macrozamia parcifolia

Classification

Plantae (plants) → Equisetopsida (land plants) → Zamiaceae → Macrozamia parcifolia

Species details

Kingdom

Plantae (plants)

Class

Equisetopsida (land plants)

Family

Zamiaceae

Scientific name

Macrozamia parcifolia P.I.Forst. & D.L.Jones

WildNet taxon ID

6481

Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) status

Vulnerable

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) status

Vulnerable

Back on Track (BoT) status

Critical

Conservation significant

Yes

Confidential

Yes

Endemicity

Native

Pest status

Nil

Short Notes

Gymnosperm, two sheets plus spirit and carpological

Description

Macrozamia parcifolia has an unbranched underground stem that is 10-20cm in diameter, and a crown of 1-4 erect dark green leaves 65-95 cm long, and hairless, except for the wool at the base. Each leaf consists of 100-220 leaflets arranged along a spirally twisted (2-6 times) rhachis (central stalk). The very narrow leaflets measure 15-40cm long by 1-3mm wide, are dark green and dull above and bright green below, with a slightly thickened greenish-white base.
The plant reproduces by cones which are somewhat pineapple-like in appearance. Male and female cones develop on separate plants. Male cones are cylindrical, 7-14cm long and 2.5-4cm in diameter, curved with age. Female cones are ovoid (egg-shaped), 8-14cm long and 4-6cm in diameter. Seeds are ovoid (egg-shaped), 1.7-2.5cm long, 1.5-2cm in diameter and orange to red when ripe.
Macrozamia parcifolia is easily distinguished from the related M. pauli-guilielmi by the narrower, thinner-textured, darker green leflets which are attached to the rhachis at an angle of 30 degrees. (Jones & Forster 1994; Halford 1995; Hill 1998; DEWHA 2008)

Map

View Map

Habitat

Macrozamia parcifolia occurs in tall open forest communities with a sparse to dense shrubby understorey, at altitudes between 120-220m above sea level. It grows on stony ridges and slopes, on well-drained, hard, red-brown clay loam soils of basaltic origin. (Halford 1995; DEWHA 2008)

Behaviour

Adult Macrozamia plants have an underground stem and are able to resprout after loss of the above-ground foliage from fire. Seedlings and unburied seeds are usually killed by fire. Synchronous cone formation often follows fire. (Halford 1995; Queensland Herbarium 2007)

Reproduction

Cones are produced from October to January and ripe seeds occur from February to April. Cones may not be produced annually when conditions are unfavourable. Cross-pollination between individual Macrozamia conferta plants is thought to be effected by a species of Tranes weevil in an obligate mutualism. (Forster et al. 1994; Halford 1995)

Predators

Like most other Macrozamia species, the leaves of M. parcifolia are highly toxic when eaten by domestic stock. (Halford 1995; Queensland Herbarium 2007)

Management documents

Conservation and management of protected plants in trade in Queensland 1995-1998. Department of Environment.

Notes

Contributors: Ailsa Holland, Mellisa Mayhew 18/06/2009

References

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2008). Macrozamia parcifolia in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra. Accessed 08/10/2008.
Forster, P.I., Machin, P., Mound, L. & Wilson, G. (1994). Insects associated with the reproductive structures of cycads in Queensland and north-east New South Wlaes, Australia. Biotropica 26: 217-222.
Halford, D. (1995). Macrozamia parcifolia, in Species Management Manual. Department of Natural Resources, Brisbane.
Herbrecs (2008). Macrozamia parcifolia, in BriMapper version 2.12. Queensland Herbarium. Accessed 08/10/2008.
Hill, K.D. in McCarthy, P.M. (Ed) (1998). Flora of Australia 48: 653.
Jones, D.L. & Forster, P.I. (1994). Seven new species of Macrozamia section Parazamia (Miq.) Miq. (Zamiaceae section Parazamia) from Queensland. Austrobaileya 4(2): 279.

Profile author

Ailsa Holland (18/06/2009)

Other resources

Data source

This information is sourced from the WildNet database managed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.