Etymology: In reference to the doubly toothed leaflets. Historical notes: Distinguishing features: Zamia disodon is the only cycad with doubly toothed leaflet margins. In addition, it is the only Zamia with transparent leaflets. In many respects, Z. disodon looks like an acaulescent Z. obliqua with transparent biserrate leaflets. Distribution and habitat: Known only from two collections, the type locality and one other nearby population in Northern Colombia, but to be expected in the southern Darien of Panama. Found in clay soils of secondary and primary rainforest at 400-800 m. Conservation status: Because Zamia disodon has been so rarely collected it assumed that the species is very rare. More field work is needed to assess the situation. Not yet listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants.
Description:
Stem subterranean and tuberous, 5-8 cm diam. Cataphylls triangular basally, linear-lanceolate apically, 3-6 cm long, 1-2 cm wide. Leaves 2-4, erect or slightly recurved, oblong, 50 cm long; petiole terete, to 25 cm long, sparsely armed with small prickles; rachis terete, usually unarmed, to 25 cm long, 3-5 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets membranaceous, elliptic, subfalcate, acute at apex, the median ones 12-20 cm long, 6-10 cm wide, margins serrate and always with some doubly serrate teeth near the apex. Cones unknown.
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