James H. Schutte
Family
Cycadaceae
Botanical Name
LEPIDOZAMIA hopei
Plant Common Name
Dallichy Creek Cycad, Wunu
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
One of the tallest growing cycads, attaining a stature like a palm tree, Lepidozamia hopei has arching, glossy bright green leaves that truly look like palm fronds. An evergreen cycad, Dallachy Creek cycad is native to the densely shaded, humid, wet rainforests of northeastern Australia. It usually grows with one main trunk-like stem but will occasionally branch.
The very long leaves of this cycad emerge just once per year in a flush. They are soft with they unfurl and become more rigid with time. Each leaf is long, arches gracefully and is lined with narrow, waxy, sharp leaflets. Plants bear cones in summer and are dioecious, meaning each plant bears either male or female cones. The male cones are long and cylindrical while the female cone is larger and oval. The fruits that form in the female cone are fleshy and red.
Grow Lepidozamia hopei in partial shade to dense shade in a moist, well-draining soil that is not overly alkaline. Tolerant of high heat and oppressive humidity, it can handle occasional wet soil unlike many other cycads. This species is best protected from frost, especially when lacking a trunk. This plant is lovely as a mounded, arching mass of fronds in a mixed tropical border; it will become more tree-like with great age. It may also be used as a container specimen when young and the trunk is short.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Fruit Color
Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Light Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
