Macrozamia Communis
Macrozamia communis
Macrozamia communis, the Burrawang, is a striking and ancient Australian cycad native to the forests and coastal ranges of New South Wales. A living fossil largely unchanged for millions of years, it bears a magnificent crown of dark green, palm-like fronds and produces large, ornamental cones containing vivid red and yellow seeds. The Burrawang has profound significance in Dharuk, Cadigal, and other Aboriginal traditions along the NSW coast and symbolizes ancient time, deep cultural memory, and enduring ecological resilience.
Zamiaceae (Cycad family)
Cones emerge throughout the year but most frequently in spring to early summer; seed cones take 12-18 months to ripen. Fire stimulates synchronised cone production.
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Cultural Significance
Macrozamia communis, the Burrawang, is one of Australia's most culturally significant plants. Its common name derives from the Dharuk language spoken by Aboriginal peoples of the Sydney and Illawarra regions, for whom it was a vital and sacred food source. In the Dhurga language of the NSW south coast, the plant is known as banggawu and its nut as yiburr. Archaeological evidence and oral tradition confirm that Aboriginal communities across the NSW coast and ranges gathered and processed Burrawang nuts as a major food source for tens of thousands of years, with the complex detoxification process representing a sophisticated body of traditional ecological knowledge passed across generations. The species name communis is Latin for "common" or "growing in communities," reflecting the plant's tendency to grow in social groupings. As a living fossil largely unchanged since the age of the dinosaurs, the Burrawang is also a powerful symbol of ecological time itself. Individual plants may live for 120 years, and the species as a whole has persisted through ice ages, mass extinctions, and continent drift.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Part shade to full sun; naturally grows as an understorey plant under an open Eucalyptus forest canopy and tolerates part shade very well; can adapt to full sun in cultivation if watered adequately
Water
Moderate; water regularly during establishment and during extended dry periods. Once established, reasonably drought tolerant. A deep, infrequent watering regime is preferable to frequent shallow watering. Avoid waterlogging.
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy coastal soils, Gravelly Loam, Tolerates a wide range of soil types; dislikes waterlogging
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in a part-shade to full-sun position with well-drained soil; it naturally grows under Eucalyptus forest canopy and adapts well to garden conditions
Apply a native or balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring and again in autumn for best growth; water well after fertilising
Large specimens transplant readily, which is unusual among cycads; this makes it the most garden-friendly species in its genus
Never allow children or pets near the seeds; all parts of the plant, especially the red seeds, are highly toxic if ingested without traditional preparation
Remove old, dead fronds from the base periodically to keep the plant tidy; use heavy gloves as the leaflet tips are sharp and pointed
A long-lived plant that, with patience and good care, will develop into an impressive architectural specimen over many years; individual plants may live up to 120 years
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Dramatic landscape specimen in gardens, parks, and streetscapes
- Container growing in large pots or planters for patios and courtyards
- Tropical and subtropical garden feature plant
- Understorey planting beneath taller trees in native and bushland gardens
- Long-lived and low-maintenance specimen that adds architectural presence to a garden
- Dried seed cones and fronds used in floral craft and botanical display
Traditional Uses
- Seeds processed by the Cadigal and other Aboriginal peoples as a traditional food source (Burrawang nuts): pounded and soaked in running water for approximately one week, with water changed daily to leach out the toxic glycoside cycasin, then made into cakes and roasted over hot embers
- The tuber and inner pith have also been used in some Aboriginal traditions as a starch source after extensive processing
- WARNING: All parts of the plant are toxic in their raw and unprocessed state due to cycasin, which can cause severe liver damage and neurological harm. Traditional food preparation methods require expert knowledge and must not be attempted without training.
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Macrozamia Communis
What does "Burrawang" mean?
Burrawang is a word from the Dharuk language, spoken by the Aboriginal peoples who are the traditional custodians of the Sydney and Illawarra regions of New South Wales. The name was originally specific to Macrozamia communis but has since been applied more broadly to other Australian cycad species. In the Dhurga language of the NSW south coast, the plant is called banggawu and its nut is called yiburr.
How long does Macrozamia communis live?
Macrozamia communis is an exceptionally long-lived plant. Individual specimens may live for up to 120 years in the wild. As a living fossil from an ancient plant lineage, the species itself has persisted largely unchanged for millions of years, making it one of the most enduring plant groups on Earth.
Are Macrozamia communis seeds edible?
Yes, but only after extensive and expert traditional processing. The seeds contain cycasin, a highly toxic glycoside that causes severe liver damage and neurological harm if consumed raw. Cadigal and other Aboriginal peoples traditionally processed the seeds by pounding them, then soaking them in running water for approximately one week with daily water changes to leach out the toxins, before making the starchy pulp into cakes and roasting them. This process requires traditional knowledge and must not be attempted without proper training.
What does Macrozamia communis symbolize?
Macrozamia communis symbolizes ancient time, deep cultural memory, and enduring ecological resilience. As a living fossil unchanged for millions of years, it represents the extraordinary depth of geological time. As a cornerstone of Aboriginal food culture and traditional knowledge on the NSW coast, it symbolizes the living continuity of Indigenous cultural heritage and the inseparable relationship between people and their country.
Is Macrozamia communis a palm?
No. Despite its palm-like appearance, Macrozamia communis is a cycad, not a true palm. Cycads are gymnosperms, an ancient group of seed plants that pre-date flowering plants by hundreds of millions of years. They reproduce through cones rather than flowers and seeds, and are far more closely related to conifers than to palms. The palm-like appearance of the fronds is a result of convergent evolution.
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