This is a native Guatemalan cycad from the Pacific coast.It is a very robust grower with several flushes of leaves every year and seems to be coning constantly.The petioles have a few very small (almost not visible)spines.

This is a native Guatemalan cycad from the Pacific coast.It is a very robust grower with several flushes of leaves every year and seems to be coning constantly.The petioles have a few very small (almost not visible)spines.

Hi Scottgt.

I'll take a stab in the dark (hopefully Jody can confirm)...

Things that stand out to me are the female cones are tanned and the petioles are smooth...

Could it be a Zamia inermis?

You say this plant is from Guatemala - how certain are you of this?

Cheers, Kurt

This is a native Guatemalan cycad from the Pacific coast.It is a very robust grower with several flushes of leaves every year and seems to be coning constantly.The petioles have a few very small (almost not visible)spines.

Hi Scottgt.

I'll take a stab in the dark (hopefully Jody can confirm)...

Things that stand out to me are the female cones are tanned and the petioles are smooth...

Could it be a Zamia inermis?

You say this plant is from Guatemala - how certain are you of this?

Cheers, Kurt

Kurt,I thought it might br Zamia inermis as well,but according to Whitelock in THE CYCADS it is found in Mexico.These cycads were uncommon when I arrived here twenty years ago.The finca was a cattle ranch then and the land was not too disturbed.These cycads could be found in a few pastures.They lost their leaves during our long dry season and often got whacked by tractors etc.and burned by a few fires.

I got mine when much of the finca was plowed under for sugar cane.I have six and have produced viable seed.I will try to get a photo of my seedlings.

Interesting. Scott - what colour were the seeds?

Interesting. Scott - what colour were the seeds?

Red

Interesting. Scott - what colour were the seeds?

Red

I just went out and found a few seeds in an old cone.The cleaned seed is 1.5cm

Well that rules out Zamia inermis – supposed to have brown seeds when mature.

So there are no spines at all on the petioles?

Could it be a Zamia herrerae without spines?

Surely somebody else out there can help with this ID...?

Zamia poeppigiana maybe ? also loddigesii is found in Guatemala , as is Z spartea .

Zamia poeppigiana maybe ? also loddigesii is found in Guatemala , as is Z spartea .

Zamia poeppigiana is from Ecuador???

Zamia loddigesii has an armed petiole with lots prickles.

Zamia spartea also has armed petiole and is very rare.

certainly has the look of inermis.

certainly has the look of inermis.

Agreed.

maybe a swallow is transporting the seeds just like King Arthurs coconuts

I have several Z spartea [true] along with my hens teeth and rocking horse dropping collection

who wants to grow common Cycads ?

Edited April 15, 201016 yr by aussiearoids

While I agree that it does resemble Zamia inermis, I have been assured by a botanist based in Guatemala that it is Z. herrerae, which varies in its petiole armament.

Jody

While I agree that it does resemble Zamia inermis, I have been assured by a botanist based in Guatemala that it is Z. herrerae, which varies in its petiole armament.

Jody

Thanks everyone,its good that I now know what it is .

maybe a swallow is transporting the seeds just like King Arthurs coconuts

I have several Z spartea [true] along with my hens teeth and rocking horse dropping collection

who wants to grow common Cycads ?

Would that be an African Swallow or a European Swallow?

What was its velocity while transporting said cycad seed?

Made my morning, thanks!

you want to share some of those old seeds