Zamia amazonum

Zamia amazonum is a species of plant in the family Zamiaceae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.

Zamia amazonum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Cycadophyta
Class:	Cycadopsida
Order:	Cycadales
Family:	Zamiaceae
Genus:	Zamia
Species:	Z. amazonum
Binomial name
Zamia amazonum D.W.Stev.

Description

Zamia amazonum has a subterranean stem 3 to 8 centimetres (1.2 to 3.1 in) in diameter. There are two to six leaves on a plant. The leaves are 0.5 to 2.5 metres (1 ft 8 in to 8 ft 2 in) long on a 0.5 to 1 metre (1 ft 8 in to 3 ft 3 in) long petiole (stalk). The reddish-brown stalk is covered with prickles, which extend into the lower third of the leaf axis. There are 10 to 30 leaflets, which are oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, pointed at the ends and toothed along the edges of the outer half of the leaflet. Leaflets in the middle of the leaf are 15 to 20 centimetres (5.9 to 7.9 in) long and 2 to 4 centimetres (0.79 to 1.57 in) wide.^[2]

Male strobilus

Like all Zamias, Z. amazonum is dioecious, with each plant being either male or female. Male strobili (cones) are cylindrical, 6 to 10 centimetres (2.4 to 3.9 in) long and 1 to 2 centimetres (0.39 to 0.79 in) in diameter, brown in color, and stand on 8 to 15 centimetres (3.1 to 5.9 in) long peduncles (stalks). Female cones are 10 to 15 centimetres (3.9 to 5.9 in) long and 3 to 5 centimetres (1.2 to 2.0 in) in diameter, dark red-brown in colored, and stand on 5 to 8 centimetres (2.0 to 3.1 in) long stalks. Seeds are ovoid, 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long and 0.5 centimetres (0.20 in) in diameter, with a red sarcotesta (outer fleshy coat).^[3]

Habitat

Zamia amazonum is locally abundant in the upper Amazon basin in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, and in Chocó Department on the Pacific coast of Colombia. The species name refers to its wide-spread occurrence in the Amazon basin.^[2]

Human use

Crushed Z. amazonum root that has been soaked in water overnight is reported to be used as a treatment for leishmaniasis by the Chayahuita people of northeastern Peru.^[4]