Macrozamia

plant genus
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/plant/Macrozamia
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Macrozamia, genus of about 40 species of palmlike cycads in the family Zamiaceae, native to Australia and grown elsewhere as ornamental and conservatory specimens. The genus includes tuberous fernlike plants and palmlike columnar trees. The pith is a source of starch, but the seeds are poisonous to livestock. The large female and male cones are borne on separate individuals. Members of the genus Lepidozamia were formerly placed in the genus Macrozamia.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.