Burrawang (Macrozamia spp.)

Family: Cycadaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Macrozamia spp. is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavor reminiscent of mild cheese - ground into flower for cakes. — Parts of the plant are used for food and material but are toxic if untreated.; The raw seed is toxic and requires treatment prior to eating it.; With Macrozamia communis (Burrawang) the sea kernals can be eaten after processing.; Aged seeds have a distinctive flavor reminiscent of mild cheese - ground into flower for cakes.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet to dry sclerophyll forests, in coastal areas they grow in sandy soils and in nearby coastal ranges they grow in gravelly loams. (Zone 10)