Editing Cycas ophiolitica II (section)

===Destruction and Preservation===
As suburbia slowly moves towards the habitat of ''C. ophiolitica'', it is inevitable that the destruction of this plant and others is likely to occur. Here in Australia there are in place strict regulations regarding the sale and the destruction of these plants.
They never seem to go far enough though and many cycads are destroyed with out anything ever being done about it. Locally there have been rescue attempts in the past to remove ''C. ophiolitica'' and ''M. miquelli'' and replant them in safe havens, but unfortunately the destruction still quite often continues unabated. Plants are often damaged by machinery whilst clearing for new building and development. I have personally witnessed large specimens of ''C. ophiolitica'' with trunks at least thirteen foot tall, smashed and severed at their bases. Often these plants regenerate with new suckers but their fate is still sealed once buildings begin construction. Some of these plants would have to be hundreds of years old and it is awful to see them so suddenly mutilated and left to rot. A lot of times some of these plants can be saved and replanted with little or even no root system left. My method is to paint the wounds and sever any damaged roots with a sharp knife to leave a clean cut. I often then rub ash from a fireplace into the wounds and damaged roots which acts as an anti-fungal. I have never lost a plant this way and have successfully rescued quite a few plants. 
It never ceases to amaze me just how resilient these plants can be as they have the ability to re-strike on their own after being near ripped from the ground, smashed or slashed to ground level.

It is also very fortunate that many ''C. ophiolitica'' colonies reside in ravines and at the bases of our coastal ranges rendering them reasonably inaccessible to urban development. In the nearby city of Rockhampton a native garden was established by the local council many years ago. These gardens are unique and have on display a good variety of native cycads and palms; this is a great way to see our cycads without having to trek through the bush. These plants have been displayed so as the public can view them up close and appreciate their beauty.

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[[File:Cycas_ophioliticaG02.jpg|frame|Figure 2. Very handsome male ''C. ophiolitica'' "Green" in habitat.<br/>Note the ''M. miquelli'' at the front.]]
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