"Cardboard Palm"/Zamia furfuracea--really a cycad

[Roy]

About 20 years ago I collected a good number of seeds from several cardboard palms (Zamia furfuracea) and grew a bunch of seedlings. Some of these plants are still only about a foot tall because I kept them in small pots in the shade, while others I planted in favorable conditions and they are about shoulder high.

I've been seeing this one seedling for many years with different looking leaves, but I just though it had some type of damage and would straighten out and start producing regular leaves. Well, after about 20 years it hasn't straightened itself out and either I picked up a seed from another source or I have a unique Zamia furfuracea. I searched the Internet and I haven't been able to find a cycad that has this leaf look.

Picture 1 is what Zamia furfuracea leaves should look like.

Picture 2 is the mystery Zamia furfuracea

Picture 3 shows the 2 plants together.

Anybody into cycads and would have an idea?

Picture 1


Picture 2


Picture 3

[foxd]

Leaves look very Ginko-like.

[ghmerrill]

those leaves on the varient look alot like what I see in the houseplant sections of the department stores around here, being sold as fishtail palms.

[Roy]

those leaves on the varient look alot like what I see in the houseplant sections of the department stores around here, being sold as fishtail palms.

ghmerrill,

You're right. It does have the same look. I got a 30 fishtail palm growing near my B. textilis var. gracilis. The both are the same height.

[ghmerrill]

WOW.... and I was impressed with the 6' size you see available in the nurseries for houseplants!

[Roy]

WOW.... and I was impressed with the 6' size you see available in the nurseries for houseplants!

And I had a guy about a year ago wanting to buy it and he would dig it out and transport it. He said he had never seen one that large. I should have taken the money, then I could have used the spot to plant another bamboo.

[Mike McG]

Roy
I understand Zamia hybridize fairly easily as do other cycad genera. I am not sure about between genera. But I can't think of what other Zamia would cause a leaf form like that. My guess is that it is probably a mutation and you have something unique. You could try posting the picture on the Cycad message board at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cycad/. Maybe some one will make you an offer you can't refuse.

There is a picture that shows a leaf form somewhat between what you have and the regular form at http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/species/p ... a_cltv.JPG

Mike McG near Brenham TX