About Cycas calcicola Maconochie
Cycas calcicola is a cycad species belonging to the genus Cycas, native to northwestern Northern Territory, northern Australia. Its erect stems grow 2–5 m tall, with a diameter of 16–22 cm. This species has pinnate leaves that reach 60–130 cm in length, with 210 to 410 leaflets per leaf. The upper surface of leaves ranges from deep green and glabrous to white tomentose, while the lower surface remains persistently white tomentose. Individual leaflets measure 5–12 cm long and 2–4 mm wide, and lie flat on either side of the leaf stem, unlike most other Cycas species whose leaflets arrange in a V-shape. The petioles are 18–30 cm long, and bear sharp spines at their base. For female reproductive structures, the cones are open, with sporophylls 12–18 cm long. Each sporophyll carries four to six ovules. The sporophyll lamina is lanceolate, with spined dentate margins and an apical spine. The seed sarcotesta is orange-brown, and the sclerotesta is short ovoid to globular, marked with a network of shallow grooves. Male cones are solitary, narrow ovoid, brown, 25–30 cm long and 5–7 cm in diameter. Male sporophylls are 25–30 mm long, with an upturned apical spine. This cycad grows in a hot, dry climate, and is often found growing alongside Eucalyptus and Livistona. It was first discovered growing on limestone soil, which gives the species its epithet calcicola, meaning 'lime-dwelling'. It is not restricted to limestone, however, and also occurs on soils formed from sandstone and schist.
