Florida arrowroot
Zamia integrifolia

Family: Zamiaceae

What it is like

A small cycad. It has branched underground stems. Each stem is about 6 cm across. The young leaves are covered with short rusty hairs. The mature leaves are 0.6-1.5 m long. There are 4-10 leaves in each crown. They are dark green and stiff. The leaf stalk is 20-80 cm long. It does not have prickles. There are about 20-80 leaflets on each leaf. They are 8-30 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are oblong with parallel veins. They are dark green, stiff and leathery. The male cones are 6-10 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They are red or brown. They have short hairs. The female cones are 8-12 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are oval and with a tail. They are reddish-brown. They have short hairs. The seeds are 1.5-2 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are oval and orange to red.

There are about 55 Zamia species.

Where it is found

They grow naturally in grassland and in dunes. It is hardy and adaptable and will grow in a range of situations and soils. It best suits temperate and subtropical climates. It is often on limestone or sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America, Cuba, Florida, Hawaii, North America, Pacific, Puerto Rico, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The stems can be used for starch extraction and after suitable treatment, eaten.

Edible parts

Stem - starch

How it is grown

It is grown from seed. It can be grown by dividing the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Coontie, Sago cycad

Synonyms

See Zamia pumila; and Zamia floridiana;