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Photo Dennis Stevenson
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The Cycad Pages
| Zamia amazonum
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- Zamia amazonum D.W. Stev., "Fl. Colombia 21: 33, fig. 3" (2001).
- "TYPE: BRAZIL. Amazonas. Confluence of Rio Tauri and Rio Icana, D. Stevenson 886 (holo INPA; iso COL, MO, NY, U)."
Etymology:
The specific epithet refers to the wide distribution of
this species throughout the upper Amazon basin.
Historical notes:
Distinguishing features:
Rachis densely tomentose when young, rachis densely prickled
with the prickles often branched, small less than 15 cm long seed cone.
Distribution and habitat:
A widespread species found in Amazonian areas of Brazil,
Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
Conservation status:
Fairly common locally throughout its range. Not listed in the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants.
Description:
Stem subterranean, 3-8 cm in diameter.
Cataphylls triangualr basally, linear-lanceolate apically,
3-8 cm long, 1-2 cm wide.
Leaves 2-6, 0.5-2.5 m long, oval to elliptic; petiole 0.5-1 m
long, armed with small to stout branched prickles; rachis 0.5-1 m
long, with 6-12 subopposite pairs of leaflets, armed with
prickles in the lower third.
Leaflets chartaceous to papyraceous, oblong-lanceolate
to lanceolate, acuminate at apex, denticulate in upper half,
15-20 cm long, 2-4 cm wide.
Pollen cones 2-6, cylindrical, brown, 6-10 cm long, 1-2 cm
in diameter; peduncle 8-15 cm long.
Seed cones usually solitary, dark red-brown, 10-15 cm long,
3-5 cm in diameter; peduncle 5-8 cm long.
Seeds with a red outer fleshy layer, ovoid, 1 cm long, 0.5 cm
in diameter.
The Cycad Pages
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© 1998-2012 Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Written and maintained by Ken Hill 1998-2010
Maintained by Leonie Stanberg and Dennis Stevenson 2010-2012
This site is currently not being maintained
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