Lepidozamia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lepidozamia
Lepidozamia peroffskyana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Cycadophyta
Class:	Cycadopsida
Order:	Cycadales
Family:	Zamiaceae
Subfamily:	Encephalartoideae
Tribe:	Encephalarteae
Subtribe:	Macrozamiinae
Genus:	Lepidozamia Regel
Synonyms
Catakidozamia W.Hill

Lepidozamia is a genus of two species of cycad, both endemic to Australia. They are native to rainforest climates in eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales. They have a chromosome number of 2n = 18.

Etymology

The name is derived from the Greek word lepis (λεπίς) meaning scale, which refers to the scale-like structure of the stem and leaf bases.

Species

Image	Scientific name	Distribution	Leaf	Cone
	Lepidozamia hopei (W.Hill) Regel	northern Queensland
	Lepidozamia peroffskyana Regel	southeastern Queensland, northeastern New South Wales

A specimen of L. hopei is known as the tallest living cycad at 17.5 m tall. These cycads are generally unbranched, tall, and with persistent leaf bases. They are easily cultivated as ornamental plants and are relatively cold hardy; L. peroffskyana was first described by a specimen grown at St. Petersburg's botanical garden in 1857.

L. hopei in understorey of the Daintree Rainforest, north-east Queensland

L. hopei: female plant with disintegrating cone containing seeds

L. hopei: tall plant in the Daintree Rainforest, north-east Queensland

• Whitelock, L.M. 2002. The Cycads. Portland, Oregon: The Timber Press. 2002

See also

In Spanish: Lepidozamia para niños