In
the late 1070's and early 1980's I was a member of Fairchild Tropical
Garden and this was one of their distribution plants. I believe it was
listed as rare and endangered - but almost all Cycads fall into these
categories. Information from some growers suggest this is Ceratozamia robusta. Don't forget to see the images and
information on the previous page.
One thing I noticed is
that the Asian Cycad Scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui, that has been so
harmful to many Sago in Florida seems to have ignored this plant.
The edges of the leaflets may be soothe but the stypes contain spines.
There are few spines towards the tips of the frond and the number
increases at the base. In general they are on the sides and bottom of
the stype rather than on the tops. Compared to the thorns some members
of this group of plants have they are mild.
The crown has gray pubescence that is soft and when pulled looks like
short gray hair or fiber. Not expanded at the base as many plant scales
are.
