Zamia jirijirimensis
Family: Zamiaceae
What it is like
A small cycad. It has a short, swollen, underground trunk. The trunk is about 14 cm long by 7 cm wide. The leaves are 0.4-0.65 m long. There are 5-6 leaves in an erect crown. They are dark green and shiny. The leaf stalk is 20-25 cm long. There are 12-24 leaflets on each leaf. They are 20-27 cm long by 1.5-2.5 cm wide. They are widely spaced. They are shiny and leathery. They are dark green above and paler underneath. The male cones are 3-4 cm long by 1-1.2 cm wide. They are narrow, erect and yellowish-brown. They have dense, short hairs. The female cone is 7-9 cm long by 4-4.5 cm wide. Only one occurs and it is cylindrical with short yellow hairs. The seeds are 1.2-1.4 cm long by 0.7-0.8 cm wide. They are oval and bright orange.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. It grows in open, sunny positions. They need good drainage and can tolerate full sun.
Countries/locations it is found in
Amazon, Colombia, South America
How it is used for food
The inner part of the swollen underground trunk is used to prepare starch.
Edible parts
Trunk - starch
How it is grown
Plants are grown from fresh seed.