Editing Cycas champion

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[[File:Cycas surprise.jpg|frame|Figure 1. ''Cycas'' sp. 'Champion's Blue Surprise' in habitat.]]
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My first encounter with the ''Cycas'' of the Mt Surprise
Gemfields, north Queensland, was in April of 1985 when a
colony was 'discovered' beside Lower O'Briens Creek amongst
granite outcrops. On subsequent visits to these Gemfields,
several other colonies have been observed. All of these
''Cycas'' colonies are amongst granite outcrops and mostly
on hillslope. The surrounding vegetation is mixed, low, open,
grassy woodland containing ''Acacia spp''., Eucalypts and
''Cochlospermum gregorii'' which is quite common.
 
These ''Cycas'' often grow in between or beside some very large
granite boulders and outcrops. They have only been observed
in colonies and never as scattered individuals which is the
habit of many of the tree species of this fossicking area
which extends in various directions for about 10km. Seed
distribution is probably the influencing factor here as there
is no obvious difference between sites where they occur and
those where they do not. In one colony, ''Callicarpa candicans''
and ''Phyfiodium pulchellum'' were also growing in the shelter of
large granite slabs.

=== Data Notes: ===
Habitat is open woodland amongst granite outcrops; decomposed
granite soil. Locality of colony along Lower O'Briens Creek
Mr. Surprise gemfields approximately 150km due north of
Chudleigh Station.
Caudex height varies from average of 1.0m
to a few large plants being 3.0m from base to start of
fronds.
Diameter about 20.0cm, no branching observed,
although suckering was found in only one instance.
Leaf frond 90.0cm, rachis 82.0cm;
Colour a very vivid powder blue.
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[[File:Cycas surprise1.jpg|frame|Figure 2. Mature seeds]]
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===Contributed by: ===
Len Butt (from '''Palms & Cycads''' No. 27, Apr-Jun 1990).<br/>
I.G. Champion (Figures 1&2).<br/>


===External Links:===
<p>[https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Cycas+champion%22&amp;num=10&amp;sa=Google+Search Google],
[https://images.google.com/images?q=%22Cycas+champion%22&amp;hl=en&amp;btnG=Google+Search GoogleImages],
[https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Cycas+champion Flickr],
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[[Category:Cycas|champion]]
[[Category:Cycad|Cycas_champion]]