Ceratozamia microstrobila

Inspired I am by the hope of wild cycads (And the wild landscapes that accompany them) in my not too distant future, a long delayed cycad post follows.....

Ceratozamia microstrobila is a small Ceratozamia from San Luis Potosi, Mexico which was formally described in 1982. The opening paragraph of the type paper is such a good summary of the Ceratozamia it bears quoting.....

We believe the genus Ceratozamia is highly variable, and the possibility of natural hybrids exists. We have found differences within and between populations of the same species in leaflet width and length, as well as in mature cone sizes. However, we feel the genus seems to form two main groups: large plants with large trunks, many leaves, and large cones, of which C. mexicana is typical; and a group of small plants with small, almost subterranean trunks, bearing few small leaves and small cones, to which belong C. zaragozae, C. hildae and the species described below.

It has rather chunky, glossy leaves flushing an attractive shade of coral pink.....

At least I think I'd call this coral pink.....

The female cones are rather spiffy too.....

All in all this is much like most of the other Ceratozamias - a smallish understory plant that is aesthetically pleasing, horticulturally manageable and in many ways an ideal "understory filler" for tropical amenity planning. It is also rather rare. Some day these plants will get the attention they deserve and then they'll take over the world all over again.....