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Zamia page provided by: Jan Meerman
The Zamiaceae are a family within the Cycadophyta
(cycads). These are a small group of plants with many
unique features, an ancient origin and a very long
history. Cycads are known to have lived in the Permian
era, over 200 million years ago - even before the
dinosaurs roamed the earth. Although once abundant
across the globe, the cycads are now greatly reduced
in both numbers and distribution. There are now about
250 species in 11 genera, compared to possibly 300,000
species of flowering plants, the group that now dominates
the world vegetation. All cycads are tropical or subtropical
and each genus has a restricted geographical range.
Belize has a limited number of species but some are
possibly still waiting detection.
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A fruiting cone of
a Zamia
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Zamia's have very tough, leathery and toxic
leaves. I know of only one butterfly genus that specializes
on New World Cycads. This is the Lycaenid genus Eumaeus,
of which two species occur in Belize. The caterpillars
of Eumaeus live in small groups and are brightly
colored (left) displaying their toxic properties.
The rare Eumaeus childrenae I have only recently
been able to confirm for Belize. The specimen seen
was attempting to lay eggs on a large specimen of
Ceratozamia robusta, which is probably its
only larval foodplant.
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Picture
gallery of Zamia species found in Belize:
(click image
for larger size)
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Zamia polymorpha Stevenson, Moretti
& Gaudio
The most common Zamia of Belize. Yet is was
described only in 1998. Restricted to The Yucatan
(Mexico), Peten (Guatemala) and most of Belize. Previously
referred to as Z. loddigesi, Z. tuerckheimii or
Z. furfuracea. Most common in open, relatively
dry habitats such as savanna but also found in several
forest types. Large underground tuber-like root. The
leaves are very variable as the name implies, but
are rarely larger than 60 cm (2 ft). Very often, eacht
plant is bearing only one leaf. Larval foodplant for
the butterfly Eumaeus toxea.
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Zamia polymorpha ?
Stevenson, Moretti & Gaudio.
This form is found along the Macal
River in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. It differs
from the regular form by having more and narrower
leaflets. There is usually a cluster of at least three
leaves and the tuber-like root is not entirely subterranean
and forms a short stem. The cones however, are indistinguishable
from regular Z. polymorpha.
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Zamia variegata Warsz.
Often known as Z. picta Dyer. Very similar
to Z. polymorpha but with conspicuously spotted
leaves (resembling a virus infection). Also much larger
(see machette for size in the specimen to the left.
Found only in Southern Guatemala and the wetter parts
of southern Belize. Larval foodplant for the butterfly
Eumaeus toxea.
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Zamia prasina Bull.
Relatively unknown species. Found only
in remote areas of the Maya Mountains. Distinguished
from Z. polymorpha by the fresh-green colour
of the leaves and larger number of leaves per plant.
There may be 2 species involved here. 1 being small,
like Z. polymorpha (Picture to the right),
the second large as a Ceratozamia. Both have
in common that the tuber like root forms a short stem
above the ground. Larval foodplant for the butterfly
Eumaeus toxea
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Another picture of Z.
prasina. This is the large morph (mature?), about
1.50 m high with many leaves. |
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Zamia sp. (nov?)
This species was recently discovered
on inaccessible limestone cliffs in the Belize district
(Meerman & Meadows, 1999). Similar to the Mexican
Z. furfuracea, but probably distinct (based on
leaf shape and cone-size). The species has very large
(1.5 m) "fuzzy" leaves. Always found on
limestone cliffs.
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The leaves can get very large and have
a "drooping" appearance.
Up to date I have not found female cones.
The male cones (left) are up to 17.5 cm (7")
long and very slender.
As other Zamia species this is
a larval foodplant for the butterfly Eumaeus toxea
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Ceratozamia robusta Miq.
This is a large species. Individual
leaves can reach a length of 3 meters (10").
It can be relatively common in the Maya Mountains,
but ditribution appears patchy. It is usually found
on hill sides, but I have also found speciment in
lowland swamps. Possibly there are different species
involved. This plant appears to be the larval foodplant
for the rare butterfly Eumaeus childrenae
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