Cardboard-Palm

Zamia furfuracea L.f. Aiton (see note below re. Z. maritima)

ZAY-mee-ah mar-IT-eh-mah

Cycads - Zamiaceae

Explanation of name: Zamia is Latin for pine nut (Wikepedia). Furfuracea means mealy, presumably in reference to the rough puberulent leaflets.

Nomenclatural note: The potential adoption of Z. maritima in place of the more commonly used Z. furfuracea is reportedly explained in the following reference, which I have not seen: Schutzman, B., & B. Dehgan. Taxonomic problems and solutions in Mesoamerican Zamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales). Proceedings of the 1999 International Symposium on Cycad Biology, Miami, FL. As this is being written (Summer 2007), it does not appear that plant taxonomists have generally accepted the change to Z. maritima, although this may occur with the passage of time. Both names appear in the literature relating to this species. WH2, current but not a taxonomist, uses Z. furfuracea.

For a contemporary on-line taxonomic treatment see:

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/cycadpg?taxname=Zamia+furfuracea

Natural range: Veracruz, Mexico and offshore islands (WH2). Seaside dunes, including near high-tide line.  Area of high but seasonal rainfall (WH2). In sun or partial shade.

Recognition: A short, coarse palmlike Cycad with broad, rough, pubescent leaflets. (Many Cycads resemble palms, but palms are flowering plants, whereas Cycads form cones.)

Zamia vasquezii looks like a fern.

Landscape uses: Useful massed for filling space with a novel, tough, eye-pleasing, slow-growing mini-palm-likeplant. Serves as specimen/accent plant, and in containers. WH2 suggests sun better than shade. Fast-growing for a cycad, growing from seed to cone-making in 3 years (WH2).  Almost any soil is tolerated, and sand is natural (WH2).  Pollinator has been introduced to Florida, so landscape specimens often make viable seeds (WH2).