Editing Cycas maconochiei (section)

===General:===
First knowledge of the existence of the 'Bynoe/Cox
Peninsula' species was from an enthusiast in South Africa who
had received seed labelled 'Cox Peninsula'. The Darwin Study
Group of the Society for Growing Australian Plants, reports
that the species in question grows right along the Cox
Peninsula west of Darwin and is probably a form of
''[[Cycas armstrongii]]''.

Other reports suggest that it could be a natural hybrid of
''C. armstrongii'' and ''[[Cycas calcicola]]''
as it displays similarities of both. However, further to this
comes information that the larger caudex and growing habits
are reminiscent of the Northern Territory giant
''C. angulata''.
Out of so much supposition must eventually come more
investigation and more clarity.

Don Stallard, local cycad enthusiast, noted that the first
specimens he saw growing, amongst the sand-dunes just back
from the beach, and further reports from other sources
endorse this. Photos received also show branching trunks on
some plants. Referring to field reports sent in June 1987,
the details are given below. 
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[[File:Cycas_bynoe.jpg|frame|Figure 1. Male in front,female at rear.]]
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[[File:Cycas_bynoe2.jpg|frame|Figure 2. Mature male cone.]]
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Approximately 20km
west-northwest of Darwin, back of the beach on the Cox
Peninsula. The terrain is a typical tropical medium woodland
with average rainfall of 1500mm per annum, soil grey brown
and sandy, scrub cover being Pandanus, Eucalyptus and
Planchonia. The distance from the beach about 100m. Along
this beach head the ''Cycas'' are growing in scattered
groups within a community, preference being for damper fresh
water areas in the proximity of large shade trees. Deciduous
as in ''Cycas armstrongii''
some with new fronds developing. The site had no new
sporophyll apparent and no male cones were seen. Very brown
tomentum covered back of rachis/petiole and very short pinnae
right to the leaf base. Some without hair on the petiole but
always on the leaf base. Leaf fronds average 1.10m, the
maximum being 1.25m, rachis length average 82.0cm, maximum
92.0cm. Spines up to 40, two to four every 2.50cm, spines
located the full length of the petiole. Pinnae average 108 to
113 pairs, length at the top average 6. 0 to 8.5cm, middle
13.0 to 15.0cm, bottom average 9.0cm. Colour of the fronds
grey/blue underside and dull, greenish/blue on the top, some
having green mottling. All pinnae curved downwards slightly,
5.0m m wide smooth on the margins.

Trunk caudices seen average 2.5m tall, to maximum of 5.0m.
Diameter average 15.0cm to 40.0cm. At least four were
branching, and fifteen were suckering. The specimen data
shown as maximum represents a plant of exceptional size and
branching.

Generally the 'Cox Peninsula' species is well distributed
and in some cases over many hectares is the predominant plant.
Since 1987, further trekking around Cox Peninsula and Bynoe
Harbour show sightings and populations of this
''Cycas'' throughout the Peninsula and right around Bynoe
Harbour following the coast and extending inland possibly to
the Darwin River, thence south around Fog Bay and crossing
the Finniss River. Sightings cease here, but sightings of a
very similar cycad have been seen in the Peppimentari area
and Wingate Ranges, which are at least visually similar to
the large 'Cox/Fog Bay' species.

Recent information from Sharon Chirgwin states: "The Fog
Bay/Bynoe Harbour species which may superficially resemble
''C. armstrongii''
on closer examination has narrower pinnae, curved at the
edges and is so profusely coated with tomentum that young
pinnae appear white; This group grows right down to the high
tide mark, often in swampy positions, but shows some
variation according to locality and environmental conditions.
It is often covered with a local orchid, ''Dendrobium affine''.
This last fascinating bit of information shows what could be
learned if the community at large were not always burning-off
our cycads. The Darwin orchid is on the endangered species
list. It was once known as ''Dendrobium dicuphum'' which is now
relegated to synonymy, and now correctly ''D. affine''. In
unburned areas like coastal strips, cycads are probable hosts
for many such thing.