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(Zamia furfuracea)
Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea)
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tato grasso
CC BY-SA 2.5
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tato grasso
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CC BY-SA 2.5
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: tato grasso | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.5 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 | Uploader: Esculapio | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Zamia_furfuracea04.jpg | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Zamia furfuracea, commonly known as Cardboard Palm, is an evergreen cycad native to the coastal, sandy soils and scrublands of the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm but a member of the ancient Cycadaceae family. Its growth habit is superficially similar to palms, which is why it is often referred to as cardboard palm, cardboard cycad, cardboard plant, cardboard sago, or Jamaican sago. The plant features a stout, sometimes subterranean trunk up to 20 cm in diameter, adorned with persistent leaf bases. Mature plants can reach up to 1.3 m in height and 2 m in width, with a crown of stiff, leathery leaves that give the plant its "cardboard" moniker due to their texture.
Cardboard cycads are valued for their unique, prehistoric appearance and ease of care. They produce striking, bright crimson seeds on female plants, which are unfortunately a factor in their endangered status due to illegal wild collection. In cultivation, they offer a tropical look to gardens and indoor spaces. They are suitable for xeriscaping due to their drought tolerance and can be used as a specimen plant or in containers. Zamia furfuracea prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade, but not deep, constant shade. They are somewhat salt-tolerant and should be protected from frost. Fertilization with palm-specific nutrients can promote healthy growth. Despite its slow growth, it is a popular cycad second only to Cycas revoluta and is often grown as a houseplant in temperate regions or as an outdoor container or bedding plant in subtropical climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Cardboard cycads are valued for their unique, prehistoric appearance and ease of care. They produce striking, bright crimson seeds on female plants, which are unfortunately a factor in their endangered status due to illegal wild collection. In cultivation, they offer a tropical look to gardens and indoor spaces. They are suitable for xeriscaping due to their drought tolerance and can be used as a specimen plant or in containers. Zamia furfuracea prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade, but not deep, constant shade. They are somewhat salt-tolerant and should be protected from frost. Fertilization with palm-specific nutrients can promote healthy growth. Despite its slow growth, it is a popular cycad second only to Cycas revoluta and is often grown as a houseplant in temperate regions or as an outdoor container or bedding plant in subtropical climates.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Coastal, sandy soils and scrublands of the Gulf Coast of Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: Cardboard Cycad, Pappzamia
Scientific Names: , Zamia furfuracea, Zamia latifolia, Zamia crassifolia, Palma pumila, Palmifolium furfuraceum, Zamia furfuracea subsp. trewii, Zamia furfuracea var. furfuracea, Zamia furfuracea var. trewii, Zamia fusca subsp. latifolia
GBIF Accepted Name: Zamia furfuracea L.f.