Chigua, Roezl zamia
Zamia roezlii

Family: Zamiaceae

What it is like

A medium sized cycad. The trunk can be erect or lie over. It can be 7 m long and 15 cm across. The young leaves are pale green. The mature leaves are 2-3 m long. There are 6-20 together in a graceful arching crown. The leaf stalk is 30-50 cm long. They are swollen at the base with short hairs and prickles. There are 20-54 leaflets on one leaf. These are 30-40 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are dark green above an paler underneath. The veins are prominent and raised. The leaflets are not crowded and are grooved. The male cones are 30-50 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They are erect and brown. The female cone is 35-55 cm long by 10-14 cm wide. They are barrel shaped and dark brown. The seeds are 3.5-4 cm long by 1.7-2.5 cm wide. They are oval and bright red.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in Colombia in the equatorial forests and in swampy mangrove forests. They are near sea level. They suit tropical and warm sibtropical regions. They require shade, humidity and free air movement. They are very frost tender.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, South America

How it is used for food

The large ripe seeds are used for food. The seeds are pounded to flour then washed several times to remove toxic components.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

They can produce cones throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Chigua, Pina de monte

Synonyms

Aulacophyllum roezlii (Linden) Regel;