Scientific name: Zamia portoricensis

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 55.07″ N, 64° 49′ 44.88″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Zamia portoricensis

Common Name: Puerto Rican Zamia, Puerto Rican Cycad
Scientific Name: Zamia portoricensis (Oerst.) A. DC.
Family: Zamiaceae (Cycad family)

Leaf Phenology

Leaf Type: Pinnate, leathery leaves with a distinct central rachis
Evergreen/Semi-deciduous: Evergreen
Leaf Flush: New leaves emerge in the spring or after rainfall events, often in a flush
Senescence: Older leaves may turn yellow and drop, especially during dry periods or stress
Phenological Indicator: The emergence of bright green new leaves at the top of the stem during warmer months or following rainfall

Flowering

Inflorescence: Male cones are cylindrical and yellowish, while female cones are larger and more rounded
Blooming Period (Tropics): Flowering occurs primarily in late spring to summer, but may happen intermittently depending on environmental conditions
Pollinators: Wind-pollinated, though may attract certain beetles
Phenological Indicator: Appearance of cones, especially male cones at the top of the plant, with their characteristic color and shape

Fruiting

Fruit Type: Red, fleshy seeds that develop from the female cones
Fruit Development: The seeds mature after fertilization, typically in late summer or early fall
Dispersal: Seeds are dispersed by animals or gravity
Phenological Indicator: Appearance of large, bright red seeds, often clustered at the base of the female cone as the cone begins to dry out

Suggested Photo Angles

• Full plant showing the trunk and crown of leaves
• Close-up of leaflets to highlight their leathery texture and pinnate arrangement
• Male and female cones, especially the yellowish male cones or the reddish female cones as they mature
• Developing and mature seeds within the female cone, with a focus on their color change from green to red
• Leaf flush during new growth or older leaf senescence

Notes for Monitoring

This species is slow-growing and can live for many years, making it a long-term component of its native ecosystem

Zamia portoricensis is native to Puerto Rico and may be found in tropical and subtropical habitats, often in forests or woodland areas

Flowering and fruiting cycles may be synchronized with seasonal rainfall or temperature fluctuations