They have large trunks which, most commonly, are short and low to the ground. The genus Lepidozamia , with two native species also of Australia, sometimes is confused with Macrozamia at first glance. Lepidozamia peroffskyana is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. Coming from Mexico is the genus Ceratozamia , with two species, one of which, C. mexicana, is frequently cultivated. It has a short, somewhat curved trunk.
Some varieties exist that are different in the shapes of the leaves.
The genus Dioon has four native species of Mexico and Central America. The most cultivated species in the genus is D. edule , whose seeds are edible. It requires average shade for its culture. The other species of the sort are D. dohenii, D. purpusii and D. spinulosum . The genus Bowenia comes from Australia and has two named species, B. serrulata and B. spectabilis , and one unnamed, B .