Zamia

Zamia is a genus of cycads in the family Zamiaceae, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas. Its range extends from southern Florida and the Caribbean through Mexico and Central America to northern Argentina, with several dozen described species. Zamia plants are evergreen and usually grow as small to medium-sized shrubs or trees with a stout trunk or rhizome and a crown of pinnate leaves. Leaves are rigid and often glossy, with leaflets arranged along a central rachis. The genus is dioecious, producing separate male and female cones on different plants. Seeds mature within the cones and are often covered by a fleshy outer layer.

Ecology: Zamia forms coralloid roots that host symbiotic cyanobacteria, enabling nitrogen fixation. The plants occupy a range of habitats, from tropical forests to savannas and rocky slopes, typically on well-drained soils. Like other cycads, they are generally slow-growing and long-lived.

Uses and conservation: Some Zamia species have historical uses as a starch source by Indigenous peoples, most notably the coontie; extensive processing is required to detoxify cyanogenic compounds before consumption. In cultivation, Zamia species are valued as ornamental plants for their distinctive fronds and tolerance of poor soils. Many species face threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and overcollection, and several are listed as threatened or vulnerable by conservation organizations. The genus remains an important subject for studies of ancient gymnosperms and plant evolution.