Sapphire Coast FloraCalochilus paludosus (Red Beard Orchid) Macrozamia communis (Burrawang)

An Australian cycad, Macrozamia communis has an extensive distribution range along the east coast of New South Wales, from Armidale to Bega, the coastal slopes of the Great Dividing Range, as well as some instances on the inland slopes of the range. It ha been found growing as far west as the Mudgee district. It is usually found growing in open forest habitats.

Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Bermagui NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Bermagui NSW © Deb Taylor

The common name is Burrawang, a word that is derived from the Daruk Australian Aboriginal language (although it is also a common name applied to other species of Macrozamia).

Macrozamia communis takes 10-20 years to mature and can live for up to 120 years. The seed cones are formed after fire, with male and female seed cones appearing on separate plants. The large female seeds are ripe when red or yellow.

Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Bermagui NSW © Deb Taylor
Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), Bermagui NSW © Deb Taylor

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Charophyta
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Cycadidae
  • Order: Cycadales
  • Family: Zamiaceae
  • Genus: Macrozamia
  • Species: Macrozamia communis

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs © Deb Taylor
  2. Burrawang (Macrozamia communis), debtaylor132, iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations?place_id=6744&subview=map&taxon_id=135902&user_id=debtaylor142
  3. Macrozamia communis L.A.S.Johnson, Burrawang, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Macrozamia communis
  4. Macrozamia communis, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrozamia_communis

Sapphire Coast FloraCalochilus paludosus (Red Beard Orchid) Macrozamia communis (Burrawang)

Sapphire CoastSapphire Coast Fauna Sapphire Coast Flora

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