Zamia monticola Chamb.
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Authority
Nicolalde-Morejón, Fernando, et al. 2009. Taxonomic revision of
in Mega-Mexico. Brittonia. 61 (4): 301-335. -
Family
Zamiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Stem epigeal, up to 30 cm tall, 18-20 cm in diam. Cataphylls base triangular, apex linear- lanceolate, 3-6 x 1-2 cm wide at base. Leaves 5-20, 100-200 cm long, erect to slightly curved; petiole 50-75 cm long, terete, armed with stout prickles in lower half; rachis terete, up to 100 cm long, with few prickles along the lower half. Leaflets 30-40 pairs, sessile, chartaceous to papyraceous, linear-lanceolate opposite to subopposite, subfalcate near the base, apex long-acuminate and oftern strongly curved, base attenuate, margins serrulate only near the base, subrevolute; articulations 0.4-0.7 cm wide; the median leaflets 25-30 x 4-6 cm. Pollen strobili usually 2-6, erect, cylindrical to oblong, 12-20 cm long and 2-4 cm in diam, cream to light brown, apex acute; peduncle light brown tomentose, 10-20 cm long; pollen sporangiophores cuneiform, distal face hexagonal, 0.4 cm long, fertile abaxial surface 2-lobed with 10-16 bisporangiate synangia per lobe. Ovulate strobili unknown.
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Discussion
Etymology. - The specific epithet alludes to its mountainous habitat type, originally thought to be near Naolinco near the city of Xalapa, Veracruz in Mexico. It is now known that this species is not known from Mexico and is endemic to Guatemala.
Distinguishing features. - Characterized by its consistently chartaceous to papyraceous long acuminate leaflets that are strongly curved near the apex with light serrulations.