Etymology:
Latin, reductus, reduced, from the smaller habit of this species in contrast to the related M. communis.
Historical notes: Seeds of this species have been distributed and plants are in cultivation as Macrozamia 'Cessnock dwarf'. Distinguishing features: The third member of the M. communis complex, distinguished by the smaller stature and shorter leaves, with smaller male and female cones and seeds. Distribution and habitat: New South Wales, western suburbs of Newcastle west almost to Mudgee. Locally abundant in dry sclerophyll woodlands on sandy soils over sandstone on ridges. Conservation status: Not considered to be at risk (IUCN Red List category LR,lc).
Description:
Plants acaulescent or arborescent (rarely), stem 0-0.4 m tall, 20-40 cm diam. Leaves 12-40 in crown, bright green to deep green, semiglossy, 70-150 cm long, flat (not keeled) in section, with 75-120 leaflets; rachis not spirally twisted, straight, stiff or straight, lax and pendulous; petiole 13-30 cm long, straight, spinescent, 8-20 mm wide at lowest leaflets; basal leaflets reducing to spines. Leaflets simple, strongly discolorous; margins flat; apex entire, spinescent; median leaflets 160-320 mm long, 5-9 mm wide. Pollen cones fusiform, 25-33 cm long, 6.5-7.5 cm diam.; microsporophyll lamina 28-33 mm long, 17-22 mm wide; apical spine 2-25 mm long. Seed cones ovoid, 16-23 cm long, 9-12 cm diam.; megasporophyll with an expanded peltate apex 40-65 mm wide, 15-25 mm high; apical spine 5-70 mm long. Seeds ovoid, 24-30 mm long, 20-26 mm wide; sarcotesta red.
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