Cycad ID

[Gileno Machado]

I bought this cycad last year from a local collector, who has grown it up from seed brought from overseas. Never saw another similar one around here...

The only 2 leaves are ~60 cm long. The leaflets are flat and have no veins or midrib. Is it a Ceratozamia?

It's been sitting on filtered light, under cocos canopy.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Gileno Machado]

Bump...

[virtualpalm]

Wow... what a find! That plant is called Zamia encephalartoides from Colombia, and it is large enough to start coning. The name comes from the female cones resembling the cones of Encephalartos. You should definitely be proud of that plant.

Jody

[Gileno Machado]

Wow...

Thanks so much for the information, Jody. This cycad really caught my attention since I've first seen it. It hasn't grown for over a year (since it was not yet mine). Should I move it to a more exposed spot? I haven't fert it either...

Best regards

[virtualpalm]

Wow...

Thanks so much for the information, Jody. This cycad really caught my attention since I've first seen it. It hasn't grown for over a year (since it was not yet mine). Should I move it to a more exposed spot? I haven't fert it either...

Best regards

Although it typically grows in full sun in habitat, it seems to prefer partial shade here in south Florida. Although you could fertilize it with whatever you typically use on cycads, this species doesn't really seem to need it. It just seems to flush whenever it "feels" like it.

Jody

Edited February 23, 2009 by virtualpalm

[Gileno Machado]

Thanks a lot Jody.

I've just seen a picture of a mature clump in habitat (The Cycads, Loran Whitelock) in Colombia.

I was a little worried when I read that: "...Bernard Fischer has observed that Z. encephalartoides will often rot off at the base when growing in shady, damp conditions in habitat..." that's more or less what I've been doing with it, for the last 6 months or so...

I was even thinking of placing it in full sun, like in the habitat picture... I'm glad I read you post in time... I think I should be very cautious with this cycad...don't believe I can get a match, or easy replacement for it around here, unfortunetly.