Seeding Cycad ID? - any interest in seeds?

[PalmatierMeg 5,928]

An untagged potted cycad is dropping ripe seeds in my back yard jungle. I suspect it might be a Zamia but what species or hybrid I don't know. It is not a Z. furfuracea ("cardboard palm") nor a coontie (too large).

Can anyone tell me even what it might be? Is anyone interested in the ripe seeds? The fruit/seeds are about 3/4" long and 1/2" wide. Thanks.

[NOT A TA 1,029]

Looks like a Zamia to me with a kind of spinulosa looking leaflet edge. Dunno what variety it might be though. Not that well versed in southern plants yet. How old is the plant in your pic? I'd be interested in seed. Planted a couple hundred Furfuracea seeds today which are also dropping now here.

[Fusca 1,899]

I believe all Zamias are dioecious so seeds are not likely viable unless there are other Zamias nearby.  Not sure what it is specifically but it's a nice plant!  Perhaps you could cut open one of the seeds.

Jon

[TexasColdHardyPalms 3,174]

Zamia 100%. Which one, I cant tell for sure. 

[PalmatierMeg 5,928]

I have about 20 specimens of potted Zamias (sp/hyd) placed in mostly shade in a 20' x 20' area overlooking the canal in the back yard. A number have coned and these are the first seeds I've seen. I don't know whether Zamias are wind or vector pollinated. Below are photos of the ripe seeds I harvested today. Any thoughts/ideas about them?

[@NetoPalms 15]

You would have to cut a seed open and see if there is an embryo.

http://www1.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/library/cycads/seeds.htm

[PalmatierMeg 5,928]

Thanks for the info. I cut open 2 seeds and took the following photo. What is your expert opinion?

[GermantownPlants 0]

I don't see embryos in that photo of the cut-open seeds. Should be in that cavity, almost filling the entire space. If the plant wasn't pollinated then they very-well may not be viable. I'm interested in seeds as well, but if they aren't viable then that's that.

I planted a handful of Zamias a few months ago, and just a few days ago started sprouting some dioon, cycas & macrozamia seed.

[@NetoPalms 15]

My understanding cycads use insects (primarily beetles) to carry the male pollen into the cone for pollination. You can do this yourself by getting male cone and banging out pollen, place pollen in cup with small amount of water, using large syringe and injecting female cone all the way into the pollination channel. You should see the water trickle down from the top of the cone to the bottom. 

[PalmatierMeg 5,928]

1 hour ago, GermantownPlants said:

I don't see embryos in that photo of the cut-open seeds. Should be in that cavity, almost filling the entire space. If the plant wasn't pollinated then they very-well may not be viable. I'm interested in seeds as well, but if they aren't viable then that's that.

I planted a handful of Zamias a few months ago, and just a few days ago started sprouting some dioon, cycas & macrozamia seed.

Thanks for the info. I will withdraw the seeds from sale.