Burrawang (Macrozamia communis)

When it flowers

January, not flowering
February, not flowering
March, not flowering
April, not flowering
May, not flowering
June, not flowering
July, not flowering
August, not flowering
September, not flowering
October, not flowering
November, not flowering
December, not flowering

Macrozamia communis or burrawang, a cycad of the family Zamiaceae at Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia.. Photo: AYArktos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Seeds of Macrozamia communis (Burrawang), Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Photo: AYArktos, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Macrozamia communis in Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. Photo by R Jones. Image scanned from 35mm slide.. Photo: R Jones at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Cycad with a glossy fountain of palm-like fronds, very slow and long-lived.

A cycad from coastal NSW forests with a short, mostly underground trunk and a crown of arching, glossy fronds. Female plants carry large cones packed with orange-red seeds. Slow growing and very long-lived, and tough once established. The seeds are highly poisonous.

In the garden

Feature plant
Pots and containers
Under trees

Attracts: Shelter for small wildlife
Flowers: No flowers; male and female plants carry separate cones, the female with orange-red seeds.
Leaves: Glossy, dark green, palm-like fronds with stiff, sharp-tipped leaflets.

Growing conditions

Climate: Subtropical and temperate
Light: Full sun to full shade
Soil: Sandy and loam
Drainage: Needs good drainage
Frost: Light frost
Water: Very drought tolerant
Coast: Sheltered coastal gardens

Planting and care

Grown from: Seed

Planting

Sun or shade in well-drained soil. Allow 2 to 3 m for the fronds.

Pruning

Remove dead fronds at the base. Wear gloves.

Care

Water while establishing; then needs little care.

Safety

Toxic if eaten
Toxic to pets
Prickly or spiny

All parts, especially the seeds, are poisonous to people, pets and livestock. Pick up fallen seeds where dogs or children play. Leaflet tips are sharp.

Where it comes from

Family: Zamiaceae
Order: Cycadales
Native to: New South Wales
Natural range: Coastal forest of NSW, from the north coast to the south coast.

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Burrawang Macrozamia communis