Historical notes: Distinguishing features: Part of a complex of closely related species M. occidua and M. cranei, that is distinguished by the strongly spirally twisted leaves with dark green leaflets with flat margins and more or less glaucous undersides, and cones that are held above the soil surface. M. plurinervia is separated within this complex by its robust habit with longer leaves, petioles and leaflets, and stiff, erectly held leaflets. Further study is required to fully evaluate this complex, and to determine the status of the entity described as M. machinii. Distribution and habitat: Northern N.S.W., in an area roughly between Inverell and Tenterfield. Scattered in dry sclerophyll woodland on sandy soils over granite. Conservation status: A rare species, apparently not well conserved and under significant threat (IUCN Red List category VU; ROTAP category 2V-). Gazetted as a Rare or Threatened Plant under Queensland Nature Conservation legislation (as M. machinii). 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants category R (as M. machinii).
Description:
Plants acaulescent, stem 20-30 cm diam. Leaves 3-7 in crown, deep green to grey-green, semiglossy, 85-115 cm long, moderately keeled, with 110-180 leaflets; rachis strongly spirally twisted, straight, stiff; petiole 12-20 cm long, straight, unarmed, 7-11 mm wide at lowest leaflets; basal leaflets not reducing to spines. Leaflets simple, strongly discolorous; margins flat, or incurved (slightly); apex entire, not spinescent; median leaflets 100-300 mm long, 4-9 mm wide. Pollen cones fusiform, 18-28 cm long, 4-6 cm diam.; microsporophyll lamina 18-23 mm long, 15-18 mm wide; apical spine 0-15 mm long. Seed cones ovoid, 15-23 cm long, 6-9 cm diam.; megasporophyll lamina 30-40 mm long, megasporophyll with an expanded peltate apex 35-45 mm wide, 10-15 mm high; apical spine 5-25 mm long. Seeds ovoid, 23-30 mm long, 23-26 mm wide; sarcotesta red.
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