Zamia fisheri (Cycad)
Location
Ancient Garden
- Common name: Zamia fischeri, Fischer’s Zamia
- Scientific name: Zamia fischeri
- Family name: Zamiaceae
- Origin: Mexico
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Width: 2-3 ft
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: 9b-11
- Light needs: Full sun to part shade
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers moist, well-drained soils, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 6.1-7.8)
- Moisture: Moderate water needs – keep soil moist, but do not overwater.
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Mealybugs and scale.
- Growing conditions: When it comes to light levels, this plant can tolerate both sunny and shady conditions, though bright, indirect sunlight is optimal. This plant likes to be in a warm and humid environment. Due to its underground trunk, its best to plant it directly in the ground rather than keep it in a container.
- Characteristics: Trunk is subterranean and about 3 inches in diameter. Young leaves are light brown. One plant may have around 5-6 leaves. Mature leaves are fernlike and tend to be about 1 ft long. Leaflets are lanceolate, thin, and papery, with serrated edges. This plant is dioecious, having both male and female plants, which produce different cones. Male cones are tan and about 3 inches in length, while female cones are greenish-gray and about 5 inches in length. Seeds are red.
- Propagation: By seeds.
- Wildlife: Its broad leaves provide shade and refuge for small animals.
- Facts: Its species name, fischeri, commemorates Gustav Fischer, a cycad enthusiast from the nineteenth century. In its native environment in Mexico, this plant grows in oak and cloud forests. It is endangered due to habitat destruction.
- Designer considerations: Its relatively small stature and fernlike appearance make it a great ground cover plant, especially along roads and walkways. Its textured leaves can bring variety to an otherwise dull area.
