Trunk mostly underground but occasionally to 1m tall. Leaves 20-100, to 2 m long. Leaflets thick, 4-12 mm wide, generally well spaced along the leaf midrib, dull green with a cream-coloured swollen base, those at base of leaf spiny. Male cones cylindrical, to about 40 cm long, spines to 5 cm long. Female cones 20-45 cm long, waxy blue, spines to 10 cm long. Seeds mostly 3-5 cm long, bright red when mature.

The most abundant cycad in New South Wales, growing naturally on well-drained sandy soils often in eucalypt forest and locally abundant in coastal areas. Also the most widely cultivated Macrozamia both in Australia and overseas. Other species presented in the key are generally cultivated only in warmer districts.

NSW.

VIC: Balwyn (Maranoa Gardens, inside main entrance); Melbourne (Royal Bot. Gds, Australian Border, Cycad Bed).

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.