Etymology: Greek lepidus - graceful, zamiae - palm-like: or azaniae - pine cones; referring to the similarity of the cones of this genus to those of pine trees.

Trunks to about 6 m tall, mostly unbranched, covered with persistent leaf bases. Leaves numerous, never twisted. Leaflets virtually stalkless, more or less alternate and arising from the upper edge of the leaf midrib, the base neither swollen nor coloured; veins parallel and without a midrib. Leaflets are never spiny at the base of the frond. Male and female plants separate. Cones more or less stalkless, scales often velvet tipped. Male cones cylindrical. Female cones broadly ovoid; scales without spines and bent downwards; seeds 2 or occasionally 3 on each scale, large and fleshy, red.

2 species from Australia (NSW, Qld).

Seed.

Leaves not twisted; leaflets joined to the upper edge of the leaf midrib, the base neither swollen nor coloured; cones without erect spines, the female scales bent downwards; cf. Macrozamia.

 

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Zamiaceae. 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.