A stunning cycad native to the Northern Territory, this species is best suited to tropical and inland regions with a warm and dry climate. In colder regions, the plant will lose its leaves in winter, but regrow in the warm seasons. While the plant is dormant it is at a high risk of rotting if overwatered. Grows naturally in sandy soils, and a sunny aspect in well drained soil is best for cultivation.
The leaves are poisonous to animals, and the seeds also contain a poison, but are soaked by Aboriginal people to remove the poison before cooking them.
Propagated by seed, seedlings grow very slowly.
Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist