Lepidozamia

Lepidozamia is a genus of two species of cycad, both endemic to Australia. The name, derived from the Greek word lepidos, meaning scaly, and refers to the scale-like structure of the stem and leaf bases. They are native to rainforest climates in eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales. They have a chromosome number of 2n = 18. A specimen of L. hopei is known as the tallest living cycad at 17.5 m tall. These cycads are generally unbranched, tall, and with persistent leaf bases. They are easily cultivated as ornamental plants and are relatively cold hardy; L. peroffskyana was first described by a specimen grown at St. Petersburg's botanical garden in 1857.