Bowenia spectabilis

Hook. ex J. D. Hook.

Byfield fern, Zamia fern

Zamiaceae Edible: Tuber, Root, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 454 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Bowenia spectabilis is a species of cycad in the family Stangeriaceae. It is endemic to Queensland, Australia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Description

A small cycad. It is a palm like plant. It grows 1.5 m tall and spreads 1.5 m wide. It has an underground trunk. This is carrot shaped and 12 cm across. The tap root forms a tuber. The leaves are feather-like and arch over. They are 1 m long. The leaves are twice divided. The leaflets are leathery and oval. The edges of the leaves are smooth. Plants are separately male and female. Male cones are oblong and female cones are round. Male cones are 3-6 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. Female cones are 10-12 cm long by 7-10 cm wide. They are barrel shaped and brownish-green. They occur in groups at ground level. The seeds are 2.5-3.5 cm long by 1.5-2 cm wide. They are oblong and cream or pink or purple.

Edible Uses

The large, yam-like rhizomes are eaten by the Aborigines. Rich in starch, they are baked before eating. Cycads have often been used traditionally as a source of food starch, obtained either from the seeds or from the stems, and it is probable that the seed kernels and stem pith of all cyeads can be used as food after treatment to remove any toxic principle that may be present (See notes above on toxicity). The starch would appear to be of particular importance as a source of sustenance during hard times or in areas where the food supply is naturally limited.

Traditional Uses

The roots and seeds need treatment before eating.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The seeds are poisonous. The plant is toxic to livestock, the poison being cumulative and leading to weakness in the hindquarters.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It grows in the highland rainforests in Queensland in Australia. It requires some shade. It grows to 700 m altitude in tropical Queensland in Australia. It suits hardiness zone 11-12. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia*, Indonesia, SE Asia,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed. It can also be grown by dividing the tuberous stem. Large plants transplant easily.

Propagation

Seeds - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though the seeds of many species can take 12 months or more to finish maturing the embryo before they are ready to germinate. Sow the seeds in a tray in a freely-draining medium and place in moderate shade. Bottom heat at about 27°c will hasten seed germination dramatically. Young roots are quite brittle and once germination takes place, the root grows rapidly. It is important to pot up the seedlings at this time in order to give them enough root-space. Grow on the plants in pots until large enough to plant out. Division of off-sets or suckers is best carried out just before the plant comes in to new growth at the start of the growing season.

Notes

There are 3 Bowenia species. It has also been put in the family Strangeriaceae.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Root	69	404	97	1.6	—	—	3	0.5

Also Known As

Chiroo, Gunyoo, Julbin, Sikas pakis zamia

References (26)

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Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 163
Bot. Mag. 89: t. 5398. 1863

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