Cycas pruinosa
| Cycas pruinosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Cycadaceae |
| Genus: | Cycas |
| Species: | C. pruinosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cycas pruinosa Maconochie
| |
Cycas pruinosa is a small to medium species of cycad, a palm-like seed plant. It is a widespread but sporadic species in the eastern and southern Kimberley region of Western Australia, occurring also in the Spirit Hills on Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory.
Features
[edit]This species is distinguished by its narrow, glabrous leaflets with strongly recurved margins; its long, slender microsporangiate cones; and its long megasporophylls with long, sterile apices. It has a stout, erect trunk, around 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and 30 cm (12 in) in diameter, which is crowned with arching fronds, distinctly curved from the apex and V-shaped in cross-section. Glaucous leaf waxes may be either present or absent, causing plants to be either blue or green in overall appearance. It is suited to tropical regions which have a seasonally dry climate.
History
[edit]This strikingly distinctive and widespread species was only first recognised in 1978 by Australian botanist John Maconochie. The specific name, pruinosa, means "covered with powder" and aptly describes the blue-white ovules of this plant.
References
[edit]- ^ Hill, K.D. (2010). "Cycas pruinosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41993A10598658. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41993A10598658.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Hill, K.D. (2010). "Cycas pruinosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41993A10598658. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41993A10598658.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Adelaide, J. (1978). "Cycas pruinrosa". Encyclopedia of Palms & Cycads. Retrieved 24 September 2017.