Macrozamia fraseri was described 1842 and was considered a distinct species until 1956 when it was put it into synonymy under Macrozamia riedlei. Macrozamia fraseri was restored as a distinct species again in 1998[].
Macrozamia fraseri is closely related to Macrozamia riedlei and the ranges of the two may in fact overlap in some areas. Immature plants might be difficult to separate in the absence of cones, but the adults leave no doubt[].

Common Name:

General Information

Macrozamia fraseri is a slow-growing, evergreen, palm-like plant with a subterranean to arborescent, erect main stem that can eventually be around 3 metres long and 40 - 70cm in diameter; this is topped by a crown of around 30 - 100 large leaves each around 140 - 270cm long[]
Although poisonous unless properly treated, this species has been an important source of food for the native people where it grows. The plant is also of potential importance as a source of starch for food and other purposes, and is grown as an ornamental.
Although declining in part of its range, Macrozamia fraseri is still common and is not regarded as threatened. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(201o)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Southwestern Western Australia

Habitat

Sparse shrubby woodland and low scrub in sand[]. Shrublands and heathlands, usually on deep sands[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	2.50 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Macrozamia fraseri is native to a mediterranean type of climate with its hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. In cultivation it has shown itself able to tolerate at least a few degrees of frost[].
Succeeds in full sun[]. An almost universal requirement for cycads is a well-drained but moisture-retentive soil, and by far the best soils are sandy gravels and light loams which provide the required drainage and aeration necessary for good growth. Cycads will generally not grow well in clay soils unless those soils are heavily amended with sand and organic matter[]. A neutral soil (pH 7), is generally best for most species of cycads and allows the proper absorption of nutrients. A slightly acid soil is better for most cycads than a basic one[].
Cycad species can usually be transplanted easily even when quite large. The best time for moving them is just before the beginning of a new growing season, the roots being trimmed if they are damaged and perhaps some leaves being removed. New roots should develop quickly as the season progresses[].
Species in this genus form structures known as coralloid roots. These roots branch off from the taproot or secondary roots and are distinctive in that they grow laterally or upward, forming a nodular mass at the apex. These coralloid roots occur slightly below or slightly above the soil surface and generally contain cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. These are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available as a nutrient to the plant. The ability to extract this important nutrient from the air explains how many cycad species are able to survive on almost sterile soils[].
A dioecious species, with individual plants producing either all male or all female cones. Therefore both male and female forms of the plant need to be grown if seed is required[]. On very rare occasions, usually when a plant has been under severe stress, it can change sex and produce either all female or all male cones[].

Edible Uses

Caution should be employed if using any part of this plant for food. All parts of the plant can contain toxins and can only be eaten if proper measures are taken to remove these toxins.

Seed - cooked[]. A chief source of food for some Aboriginal groups[]. Non native people have very differing opinions on this food, with some finding it disgusting, rancid, and like train oil), while others consider it quite as good as that of a chestnut[]. The irregularly ovoid seed is around 37 - 50mm long and 25 - 30mm in diameter[].
In the natural state the pulp surrounding the seed is poisonous. In order to remove the toxic principles, the seed is soaked n water for a few days, then it is buried in sand and left there until the pulp is nearly dry. It is then fit to eat, usually after roasting[[].

The fleshy layer of the seeds contains around 28% of a bright orange oil whose physical and chemical constants were found to resemble those of palm oil[]. (As Macrozamia riedlei)

The plant is of potential commercial importance as a source of starch from its stems. The pith of the stem is dried either in the sun or by heating in an oven, it is then shredded up and soaked in water for six hours. It is then shaken
up and filtered, the milky fluid being allowed to settle. The sediment is washed several times, dried slowly, and finely powdered, and is ready for use[].
The stem can weigh more than 1,000 kilos. Yield of starch from the roughly trimmed stem ranges from 25 - 40%, calculated on the moist plant[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The starch obtained from the stem has been used for laundry purposes as well as for food. Unfortunately, it appears that the starch has not yet been produced sufficiently pure-- it always contained a small amount of finely divided fibrous matter--to be an acceptable product on the market[]

A gum is exuded from the cones, stems and bases of the leaves, often as a result of insect or other damage.
Gums of the various species of Macrozamia are nearly identical in character. It occurs in flattened pieces resembling 'button lac', in scaly pieces that have been likened to unbleached and unpurified gelatin, and in tears. Placed in water, the gum begins to swell almost immediately. The absorption of water goes on for several days, by the end of which the gum has swollen to from 50 - 100 times its original size. It then has the appearance of a colourless, quivering jelly. This behavior is much like that of cherry or acacia gums to which Macrozamia gums are apparently quite similar[].
The gum of Macrozamia was suspected once of being responsible for the poisonous effects of these plants but has been exonerated[]

Propagation

Seeds - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though the seeds of many species will take a few months 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[].