Zamioideae

Zamioideae is a subfamily of flowering plants in the family Araceae. It is one of two subfamilies within Araceae, the other being Calloideae. Zamioideae is characterized by its unbranched stems, pinnately compound leaves, and unisexual flowers borne on spadices. The subfamily contains two tribes, Encephalarteae and Zamieae. Encephalarteae includes the genera Encephalartos and Lepidozamia, while Zamieae includes the genera Ceratozamia, Dion edule, and Zamia.

Plants in Zamioideae are commonly known as cycads, although they are not true cycads. They are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Zamioideae species are typically dioecious, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. The male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The fruits are fleshy cones that contain one or more seeds.

Zamioideae species are often cultivated as ornamental plants. Some species are also used for their medicinal properties. For example, the roots of Zamia integrifolia have been used to treat a variety of ailments. However, many species are endangered due to habitat loss and overcollection. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique plants.