Cycas calcicola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cycas calcicola |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cycas
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| Species: |
calcicola
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Cycas calcicola is a special type of plant called a cycad. It's like an ancient palm tree, but it's actually more closely related to pine trees! This particular cycad grows naturally in the northern part of Australia, specifically in the northwest of the Northern Territory. It's known for its unique leaves and how it grows in different types of soil.
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What is Cycas calcicola?
This cycad has a straight stem that can grow quite tall. It usually reaches between 2 to 5 meters (about 6 to 16 feet) high. The stem is also quite thick, around 16 to 22 centimeters (6 to 9 inches) wide.
Its leaves are very interesting! They can be deep green and smooth on top. Sometimes, they might even look white and fuzzy on the top surface. The underside of the leaves always stays white and fuzzy. Each leaf is long, about 60 to 130 centimeters (2 to 4 feet). They have many small leaflets, usually between 210 and 410 of them.
These small leaflets are 5 to 12 centimeters (2 to 5 inches) long and only 2 to 4 millimeters wide. Unlike most other Cycas plants, the leaflets on Cycas calcicola lie flat on either side of the main leaf stem. They don't form a 'V' shape. The leaf stems, called petioles, are 18 to 30 centimeters (7 to 12 inches) long. They have sharp spines at their base to protect the plant.
How Does it Reproduce?
Cycas calcicola produces special structures for reproduction, similar to cones.
Female Cones
The female cones are open and have parts called sporophylls. These sporophylls are 12 to 18 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) long. Each sporophyll can hold four to six ovules, which are like tiny seeds waiting to grow. The top part of the sporophyll is shaped like a spearhead. It has spiny, tooth-like edges and a sharp spine at the very tip.
The seeds themselves have an outer layer called a sarcotesta, which is orange-brown. The hard inner shell, called the sclerotesta, is round or oval-shaped. It has a network of shallow grooves on its surface.
Male Cones
The male cones grow by themselves and are narrow and oval-shaped. They are about 25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) long and 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) wide. These cones are brown. The sporophylls inside the male cone are 25 to 30 millimeters long and have an upturned spine at their tip.
Where Does Cycas calcicola Live?
This cycad prefers a hot and dry climate. You can often find it growing near Eucalyptus trees and Livistona palm trees.
It was first discovered growing on limestone soil. This is why its name, calcicola, means "lime-dwelling." However, it doesn't only grow on limestone. You can also find Cycas calcicola growing in soils that come from sandstone and schist.
