Ceratozamia with wide leaflets -ID please

[Al in Kona]

I've had this Ceratozamia growing in the garden for many years but I've never had it identified as to what species.

When it sends out a new flush of leaves they are a very colorful rusty red cast, then gradually turn green. It is growing in a partially shaded area under a Pritchardia schatauerii. Any ideas as to what species this might be?

[LJG]

Al, it seems pretty compact. My first thought was Ceratozamia microstrobila.

[Geoff]

I agree… how small are the cones?

[Matt in OC]

I have one with very similar leaflets that I think is miqueliana but it's not as dense as yours. Beautiful plant!

[Al in Kona]

Thanks guys. Yes, my guess would be Ceratozamia microstrobila too now that I read up on it. I also read that this species has a lot of variability as to leaflets length and width. This plant has not yet coned for me. Maybe I should lightly fertilize it as I never have yet.

I also have a large Ceratozamia miqueliana so I know it isn't that.

[Geoff]

Cycads like fertilizer… and I would suspect that would be particularly nice in Hawaiian soil.

[cycadjungle]

If the new leaves are dull, chocolate brown with no real red in it, AND, the petioles have no spines at all, you have a microstrobila. Miquelianas are only green emergent. That plant should have coned years ago. For perfect timing,end of December, use a fast reacting, high nitrogen granular fertilizer and you should probably see your first cones. Probably a female.

[Jeff Searle]

Good call Len, you do know your cycads.

[CJ Subtropical]

If the new leaves are dull, chocolate brown with no real red in it, AND, the petioles have no spines at all, you have a microstrobila. Miquelianas are only green emergent. That plant should have coned years ago. For perfect timing,end of December, use a fast reacting, high nitrogen granular fertilizer and you should probably see your first cones. Probably a female.

We don't have many Ceratozamia in South Africa (due to CITES regulations), which is unfortunate but I suppose it's necessary given the vulnerability of these habitats. This is a nice plant, first time I have seen microstrobila