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Lepidozamia peroffskyana
| Prized by collectors, these impressive Cycads are rarely seen outside eastern Australia except in botanical gardens. They grow very slowly and live for centuries, with skirts of dead leaves cloaking a trunk up to 60 feet tall. Arching fronds grow to 10 feet long, light green above with prominent veins on the undersides. Many scalelike rudimentary leaves, called cataphylls, protect the fuzzy new fronds. Like other Cycads, they relate more closely to conifers than to Palms. Both male and female plants produce specialized cones instead of flowers. Female cones develop bright red seeds. Though highly poisonous, many native peoples eat them, having figured out ways to remove the toxins. Grow outdoors in warm frost-free climates, or in conservatory beds or tubs. Full sun or partial shade. Keep very well-drained soil fairly moist spring through fall, drier in winter. Need winter minimum temperatures of 50º to 60º F; days, about 15º F warmer. Rarely need repotting. Seeds germinate easily and grow quickly -- for Cycads. |
Male plants' twisted, cylindrical cones grow up to 2 feet long. Females' oval cones reach nearly 3 feet long, 1 foot across.
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Attributes - Lepidozamia peroffskyana
Plant Type: Tree
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 20 ft. to 60 ft.
Width: 60 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Climate: Zones 10, 11
Notes: Thrives in Dry Climates, Hot Climates. Container Plants, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Poisonous.
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