Cycas basaltica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cycas basaltica |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cycas
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| Species: |
basaltica
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Cycas basaltica is a special type of plant called a cycad. It belongs to the Cycas family and is originally from Australia. You can find it mostly in the far northern part of Western Australia, especially in a place called the Kimberley region. Cycads are often called "living fossils" because they have been around for millions of years, even before dinosaurs!
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What is Cycas basaltica Like?
This amazing plant can grow quite tall, usually up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet), but sometimes even 4 meters (over 13 feet)! Its main stem is thick, about 15 to 23 centimeters (6 to 9 inches) wide. The base of the stem is often wider and has a large part that grows underground.
Leaves and Crown
Cycas basaltica has many leaves, usually 30 or more, that form a cool, bowl-shaped crown. The leaves point inwards, almost like they are hugging the center of the plant. Each leaf is long, about 80 to 125 centimeters (31 to 49 inches), and has many smaller parts called leaflets. A single leaf can have between 140 and 210 leaflets!
When the plant is young, the stalks that hold the leaves (called petioles) have spines. But as the plant gets older, these spines often disappear. The leaflets themselves are covered in tiny, shiny silver hairs. These hairs are angled forward, giving the plant a unique look. The leaflets closest to the stem are actually reduced to small spines, a bit like another cycad called Cycas revoluta.
Roots and Growth
This cycad has a special main root, called a taproot, that can actually pull the plant's crown deeper into the ground. This helps the plant stay stable and get water from deeper soil.
How Does Cycas basaltica Reproduce?
Like many plants, Cycas basaltica produces cones to reproduce. These cones are different for male and female plants.
Female Cones
The female cones are "open," meaning their parts are not tightly closed together. They have special leaf-like structures called sporophylls, which are about 17 to 24 centimeters (6.7 to 9.4 inches) long. These sporophylls are covered in thick, reddish-brown, fuzzy hairs. The seeds inside these cones have a yellowish-brown outer layer (called a sarcotesta) that can be smooth or have a waxy, bluish-white coating.
Male Cones
The male cones are different. They stand upright and are shaped like a narrow cone. They are usually 18 to 24 centimeters (7 to 9 inches) long and 7 to 9 centimeters (2.7 to 3.5 inches) wide. These cones produce pollen, which helps fertilize the female cones.
Where Does Cycas basaltica Live?
This cycad gets its name, basaltica, because it loves to grow on basaltic volcanic rock soils. These are special dark, fine-grained rocks formed from cooled lava. You can often find Cycas basaltica growing in eucalyptus forests near rivers like the Drysdale and Lawley Rivers in Western Australia. It also grows on some islands off the coast.
Good news! The conservation status of Cycas basaltica is considered "secure," which means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
