Can anyone tell me what the name of this plant is? I just bought it at a Home Depot - it was the last one and didn't have any identifying tags on it. The bar code described it only as "tropical foliage". I need to know what type of plant it is so I can figure out how to care for it. The leaves are thick & rigid, and it's about 2' tall including base bulb, which is pineapple-like in shape. The soil is very dry right now - not sure if it's on purpose. Thanks!
That is a ZZ Plant .. here is some info on it .. http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/ZZ.htm Marn
Sorry, but don't think so. I checked with an expert cycad grower in Hawaii and this is Zamia furfuracea. That plant is a cycad and is from Central America. Although it is similar to the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), it is quite different. This one is a true tropical species. I don't grow cycads but know several experts who do. I'd suggest you look it up on a good scientific site. I'm sure you can find some good advice. I checked TROPICOS, which is a service of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and found a bit of information but nothing substantial. Their main photo was the same as your plant. My thanks to grower Windy Aubrey for the ID.
I just found what appears to be a good link on this species. The plant is primarily from southern Mexico and the Central American tropical countries to the south of that area. It grows along limestone cliffs. It requires damp but extremely well draining soil. I'd recommend you keep the potting soil well dampened, just don't try to drown the plant. Limestone cliffs would indicate the plant prefers a soil with a higher pH. You should find some good information here: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/cycadpg?taxname=Zamia+furfuracea
Sometimes photos can be deceptive, but you may want to research the name "Cardboard Palm"/Zamia furfuracea, in the cycad family. Be careful of overwatering. I own this one. I have also seen it at my local home depot, thought very rarely. Good Luck!
Although called a "cardboard palm" don't be mislead my the common name. This species is not a palm, it is a Cycad. The leaves are quite thick as you stated which is known to a botanist as coriacious. Simply, that means "leathery". I did a bit of research and found, according to the New York Botanical Garden, this species is considered "endangered" in some areas. It has fairly commonly been grown as a yard ornamental in southern Florida but is now listed by Dade County, FL as "endangered" as well. I'm unsure of the reasons for this since the plant grows in abundance in its native southern Mexico. I've looked this one up in several botany books and it almost always grows in sandy soil. Sources differ on the pH requirments, although it is commonly found in coastal areas in limestone soil. However, it grows in regions that receive frequent rain. It would appear the key is the drainage ability of the soil in order to keep it healthy. There has been quite a fit of difference in opinion on how a similar plant, the ZZ, can be grown. If you do a search for Zamioculcas zamiifolia on this board you'll find lots of differing opinions regarding how often to water. This species may well be similar. I've got an email off to two cycad growers who specialize in these species and will let you know if they offer any significant advice. Several scientific sites note the seeds are quite poisonous so if your specimen eventually produces seeds be careful about allowing children and pets to handle them. Those same sites say it is sometimes difficult to start from seed. I don't give that "poison" warning lightly because I have done quite a bit of personal research for my website on plants that are supposedly "poisonous" and in fact are not. But the warnings on this one appear to be sound and from reliable sources.
I requested information on this species from noted cycad collector and expert Leland Miyano in Hawaii. Leland is a noted author of several books on Hawaiian species as well as one of the most famous landscape architects in the world. You may find his advice both useful and valuable, "Aloha. Zamia furfuracea is one of the easiest cycads to grow. It needs great drainage, full sun, and it should grow well. The biggest threat to it is deep shade and poor drainage. It grows in sand dunes in eastern Mexico but adapts to a wide range of soils as long as there is drainage. It can grow in filtered light, but the stronger the sun, the shorter and more compact the fronds are. You may suggest poor nutrients and using bonsai techniques to stunt the leaves. I cannot advise on the cold hardiness. I grew many of mine from seed and now the largest of my plants has many heads and the caudex alone measures over 3 feet in diameter with fronds 5-6 feet long. If I pot this up and starve it, i can keep the fronds to about 2 feet long and really compact. There are also mutant forms of this plant that can be quite attractive. The bottom line is that this plant is hard to kill...even if abused. A cold freeze will probably kill it...but I have no experience with that here. Aloha, Leland" Since Leland is a personal friend, please allow me to also invite anyone interested in tropical plant species to visit with him in Miami, FL on September 15 and 16 at the International Aroid Show. The aroid show will be held at Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Leland is the guest of honor. He is an expert in palms, aroids, cycads and numerous other species. I'll be there and will be delighted to meet and talk with any of you interested in aroid species. But plan to come to meet and talk to Leland! Fairchild has one of the largest collections of rare cycads in the world. You can find more information about Leland and the aroid show here: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=29622
I agree with photopro, this is Zamia. My other has a Zamia in a pot for so many years now and the soil is also dry.
