In ages past, cycads and associated plants were widespread and formed a substantial percentage of the world's vegetation.

Zamia Palm - Cycas media - Photo by Bill Hinton

Many fossilised cycads have been discovered in countries where they have long ceased to grow. With the changes in the world climate over many thousands of years their habitat has receded and they are now mainly confined to the modern tropics.

One specimen in the accompanying photos was growing by the Captain Cook Highway. It had withstood the ravages of time, cyclone and fire, but unfortunately not man. It has now been destroyed during road clearing. Over two hundred years ago, captain James Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia. Probably the Endeavour sailed within sight of that already ancient cycad standing majestically on a hillside above the Coral Sea.

During his enforced period on the Endeavour River, Cook's men became ill after eating the cycad seed. As with many poisonous plants and fruits the Aborigines ate them after considerable preparation. Seeds are slow to germinate and plants are very slow growing.