Cycas badensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cycas badensis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cycas
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| Species: |
badensis
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The Cycas badensis is a special type of cycad plant. Cycads are ancient plants that look a bit like palms or ferns. This particular cycad is found only in Australia, specifically on Badu Island in the far north of Queensland. This means it is endemic to that island, which means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world!
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What Does Cycas badensis Look Like?
This amazing plant can grow quite tall, with its main stem reaching up to 8 meters (about 26 feet) high. That's like a two-story building!
Its Leaves
Cycas badensis has many leaves, usually between 1 and 1.2 meters (about 3 to 4 feet) long. Each leaf is made up of many smaller parts called leaflets. There can be 200 to 230 leaflets on just one leaf! These leaflets are about 11 to 22 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long and quite narrow, only about 5 to 7.5 millimeters wide.
When new leaves first appear, they are covered in a fuzzy, orange-brown layer. As they grow, they turn a bright, shiny green on top and a lighter green underneath.
Its Cones
Like other cycads, Cycas badensis produces cones, but they are not like the cones you see on pine trees. The female cones of this plant are open and look very woolly and brown. Inside these cones are the seeds. The seeds themselves have an orange-brown outer layer called a sarcotesta.
Where Does Cycas badensis Live?
This cycad loves to grow in Eucalyptus forests. These forests are found in the tropical grasslands of Badu Island, which is in the very northern part of Queensland, Australia.
Scientists first officially described Cycas badensis in 1996. Because it lives on a remote island, not much is known about this plant, and it's not commonly grown in gardens or collections.
Why Is It Important?
Cycas badensis is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This means it's a plant that needs our attention to make sure its numbers don't drop too low. Protecting its habitat on Badu Island is very important for its survival.
