Zamia cupatiensis
Family: Zamiaceae
What it is like
A small cycad. The trunk is unbranched and swollen. It is 0.3 m long and can be underground. The leaves are 0.3-0.6 m long. There are 6-9 leaves in the erect crown. They are dark green. The leaf stalk is 20-30 cm long and wiry but swollen at the base and does not have prickles. There are 8-12 leaflets on each leaf. These are 15-21 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They are broadly oval. The leaflet is darker above and paler underneath. The leaflet tapers to a long drawn out tip. The male cones are 3-8 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are erect, yellow and hairy. The female cone is 5-7 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. It is barrel shaped and brownish-purple. There are short hairs. The seeds are 3 cm long by 2 cm wide. They are oval and red.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally near the top of small quartzite hills about 350 m high. It suits tropical and warm subtropical regions. They require good drainage and will grow in full sunlight. Humid atmosphere with air movement is important.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, Colombia, South America
How it is used for food
The inner part of the trunk is used to extract starch which is eaten.
Edible parts
Stem - starch
How it is grown
Plants are grown from fresh seed.