Zamia spartea

The red emergent Zamia sp. are unquestionably among the more beautiful cycads and this is one of my favourites. Zamia spartea is a small relatively low growing plant with long thin leaflets. It's a delicate looking plant and flushing orange is rather spectacular.

This species is endemic to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region of Chiapas (and maybe the neighboring Oaxaca region) of Mexico. Even though its been known for over a hundred years its only been collected a few times since its discovery. As a result we know little about its status or reproductive health.

This one is at least producing a healthy crop of male cones suggesting reproduction in captivity is not likely to be a problem.

Maybe some day it'll be filling hellstrips throughout the tropics.