Macrozamia mountperriensis

Macrozamia mountperriensis is a species of plant in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Queensland Australia around the Mount Perry region. The Macrozamia mountperriensis was discovered by colonial botanists including Frederick Manson Bailey and James Keys in the late 1800s. All members of the Zamiaceae family are considered to be poisonous. The Macrozamia mountperriensis is not in conservation risk and has a large population in Mount Perry, Queensland.
Description.
Macrozamia mountperriensis is most commonly recognised by its small structure and green leaves. The plant is structured with a spine-like structure, that holds onto long leaves that are parallel to each other. On average each Macrozamia mountperriensis has about 50 to 110 leaflets. The plant stems ranges between six to nine inches high off the ground, and the leaves on average are around eighty centimetres long. The plant's leaves are approximately 5mm-9mm wide. The leaves are straight and do not curve or twist. The leaves are long in length and are the majority of the plants build. Leaves vary in colour depending on age and maturity. Younger leaves are lighter green with yellow undertones, whilst the more mature leaves are a darker green. The plant is also distinguishable by small cylinder cones that grow from the root of the plant. Male cones are 1 foot long and half an inch in diameter. Female cones range between eight to sixteen inches long and have are 4 inches in diameter. The plant's cones consist of small green and orange spots that distinguish Macrozamia mountperriensis from other plants in the Zamiaceae family. The plant's seeds are approximately 25 mm long and 16 mm wide and are orange and yellow in appearance. Macrozamia mountperriensis is very similar to the Macrozamia Miqueii, but it can be distinguished by its longer petioles, smaller cones and seeds. The plant also is known to contain Symbiotic Cyanobacteria and can be toxic. Insects are also associated to the plant including Coleoptera. They are closely linked to Macrozamia mountperriensis and provide pollination and reproductive functions to the plant.
Taxonomy and Naming.
Macrozamia mountperriensis belongs to the Plantae kingdom and is from the Zamiaceae family. Zamiacae are Cycads and consist of 150 species including Macrozamia mountperriensis. The plant's name was derived after its discovery in Mount Perry in the mid-eighteen hundreds by Frederick Manson Bailey. Macrozamia Mountperriensis is named after Mount Perry. The Zamiacae is a family of plants commonly known as cycads that grow similarly to a fern, and are common in Australia. There's 40 other species in the Macrozamia genus include cardiacensis, conferta, miquelii, plurinervia, viridis, stenomera, secunda, riedlei, reducta, polymorpha and platyrhachis. These plants have identical similarities with Macrozamia mountperriensis, with only slight variations.
Distribution and Habitat.
Located in Queensland in the Mount Perry region, west of Bundaberg. A number of plants from the Macrozamia genus and family are common in this region and are spread close to the town of Mount Perry. Other plants in the Macrozamia genus is also endemic to New South Wales and also in the Northern Territory. Other plants within the Zamiacae family are located in tropical regions such as North America, South America and Africa. The plant thrives in dry and warm conditions and habitat in temperatures above minus 6 degrees celsius. It typically grows in altitudes between two hundred and four hundred metres on slopes and ranges. Macrozamia mountperriensis typically found in open forest conditions such as eucalypt forests or the Araucarian rainforest. The plant is also distributed in the townships of Broweena, Biggenden and Aramara, which is near Mount Perry. Macrozamia mountperriensis shedding of pollen begins in later months of the year typically October and November. The plant's seeds shed in the months around Spring.
Origins and History.
It was first discovered by Colonial Botanist Frederick Manson Bailey and James Keys in 1886 whilst researching and surveying Queensland’s flora. Frederick Manson Bailey published “A synopsis on Queensland Flora’ in 1886 which first made light of Macrozamia mountperriensis, including an in-depth description of the plant, including details of its distribution in the Mount Perry Region. Botanist James Keys lived in the Mount Perry region researching the flora, and led to the discovery of Macrozamia mountperriensis. Dutch Botanist Friedrich Anton Miquel first made mention of the Macrozamia genus in 1842, but not specifying which species of Macrozamia.
Conservation Status.
Macrozamia mountperriensis is not at risk of extinction. The plant is classified as not to be at risk. It has strong habitat across a number of forests in the Mount Perry region in Queensland. Macrozamia mountperriensis has multiple colonies, strong seedling and is present in many national parks. Macrozamia mountperriensis is not on the IUCN Red List category which is the official assessment system to classify and determine at-risk plants or organisms.