Cycad Collection

Visit the Cycad Collection.

A little bit palm-like and a little bit fern-like, cycads have changed little since grazed upon by dinosaurs.

While you’ll find the Cycad Collection focused on the Eastern Lawn, individuals occur throughout the Gardens – their distinctive form an important aesthetic.

Found from desert to rainforest, cycad occur in many countries throughout the world. Ancient heritage, slow-growers, long-livers, often with a specific pollinator – quite simply, a fascinating group of plants.

Notes from our team

"Cycads are a fascinating and ancient plant lineage, first appearing in the Permian Period around 280 million years ago and were so prolific that the Jurassic Period is also known as the “Age of Cycads”. Today they are far fewer in number, and we are fortunate to have a number of species and genera growing native in Australia.

Their massive ‘cones’ and seeds are indicative of the now-extinct megafauna which grazed upon them, and the First Nations people of Australia and around the world have a long history of using them for food and crafting materials. Cycads as a whole are one of the most critically endangered groups of plants in the world today, and ex situ collections like our own are an important conservation initiative." Horticultural Curator, Cycad Collection.

Connecting to Country 

This Collection is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. As you explore the Gardens you will see four colours and four words in Woi-wurrung language on the signs to reflect the Traditional Owners’ connection to Country and this particular place. The word tanderrum refers to a cultural gathering place in Woi-wurrung and the signs in this area have pink highlights.

Psyched for Cycads? 

Learn more about Cycads on the living collection curatorial page. 

Cycad Collection
View the Cycad Collection on map