Kingdom Plantae Order Cycadales Genus Macrozamia Higher classification Macrozamia | Division Cycadophyta Family Zamiaceae Scientific name Macrozamia montana Rank Species | |
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Similar Macrozamia, Cycad, Macrozamia lomandroides | ||
Macrozamia montana is a species of plant in the Zamiaceae family. It is endemic to New South Wales, Australia.
Contents
Etymology
Macrozamia montana is a distinct species that was named by Ken Hill in 1998 based on its attribute of growing on the sides of mountainous areas, slopes and steep ridges.
Description
Macrozamia montana is usually a subterrestrial woody stem but sometimes a short developing trunk whose bright green young fronds become dark green and bent when fully grown. During development, the female cones of M. montana have the tendency to change to a horizontal position or completely rest on the ground. It has short petioles of about 6–15 cm long. M. montana plants can have up to a maximum of 70 fronds and glossy leaves of about 100–204 cm long.
Relationships
Macrozamia montana is part of the Macrozomia species but is isolated from the rest of the species. It is more closely related to larger M. communis plants on the New South Wales, Australia than the smaller M. communis plants on the north of Newcastle. The petioles of the M. communis however, grow to about 10–40 cm long which is far longer than those of the M. montana.
Habitat conditions
Macrozamia montana grows under a eucalypt canopy, in wet sclerophyll forests on well-drained soils. It grows in areas which are exceedingly weeded especially by Lantana camara, a small perennial shrub.