Burrawang (cycad) Macrozamia communis
Burrawang (cycad) (Macrozamia communis) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Zamiaceae family, native to Coastal forests of New South Wales. It grows 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Burrawang (cycad) in your garden →
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Burrawang (cycad) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zamiaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal forests of New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Burrawang (cycad) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: seeds, all parts
All cycads are very poisonous (cycasin, macrozamin): the seeds cause liver failure and death in dogs and livestock. Aboriginal people made the seeds edible only by long leaching and fermenting.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Burrawang (cycad)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Burrawang (cycad)
- How far apart should I plant Burrawang (cycad)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Burrawang (cycad) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Burrawang (cycad) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Burrawang (cycad)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- Is Burrawang (cycad) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All cycads are very poisonous (cycasin, macrozamin): the seeds cause liver failure and death in dogs and livestock. Aboriginal people made the seeds edible only by long leaching and fermenting.
- What grows well with Burrawang (cycad)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Burrawang (cycad). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A palm-like cycad with a short underground or squat trunk and a crown of arching, glossy pinnate fronds; separate male and female plants bear large cones, the females with orange-red seeds. Resprouts after bushfire. An ancient lineage that grew with the dinosaurs.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Wood's cycad Encephalartos woodii
- Cardboard palm Zamia furfuracea
- Karoo cycad Encephalartos lehmannii
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander