Cycas campestris
| Cycas campestris | |
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| Species: | C. campestris
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| Cycas campestris | |
Description
Cycas campestris is named after the latin word camester, meaning plains or flats, which the cycad grows in. Stems unbranched, erect, growing between 3 to 6 meters. Leaves numerous growing to .8-1.7 m long. Flat shaped with apex terminating in paired leaflets. Emergent leaves deep orange tomentose, glabrous with maturity. Petiole glabrous, armed with spikes and 15-50 cm long. Leaflets in 80-115 pairs, angled forward at 60-85 degrees.
Female cones open, with sporophylls 13-25 cm long, with pale brown tomentose. 2-6 ovules per sporophyll. Triangular lamina present, with many lateral spines and an apical spine. Sarcotesta 2-3.5 mm thick and orange. Sclerotesta flattened and long ovoid, with a network of shallow grooves present. Male cones are solitary and erect, ovoid 13-17 cm long., 7-9 cm in diameter. Apical spine turned sharply upward.
Habitat
This cycad us native to Papua New Guinea, in the low elevations of the southeastern part of the country. Prefers open, grassy locations, where annual grass fires are present. Conservation status of the plant is secure.
References
Whitelock, L. M. (2002). The Cycads. Portland, OR: Timber Press