Trunks to 3 m tall, occasionally branched, older plants with basal suckers. Leaves to 1 m long. Leaflets 10-20 cm long, joined to the leaf midrib along its upper edge; margins thickened and curved under at; tips pointed. Seed 3-4 cm long, hairy, orange to red. A popular cultivated plant world wide.

Islands of Southern Japan.

Edges of leaves curled under; the only species with hairy seeds. Several other species are grown in warmer districts, including: Cycas circinalis L., from India, Sri Lanka, S China and Indochina, and C. thouarsii R. Br. ex Gaudich. from E Africa, Madagascar and Seychelles; these two species are sometimes considered variants of C. rumphii Miq. Cycas taiwaniana Carruthers from Taiwan and Hainan is also available.

ACT: Canberra (Allara St, Capital Park Royal Hotel). VIC: Melbourne (Royal Bot. Gds Cycad Bed; Cultural Centre by Yarra River).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Cycadaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.