Message from the Editor Dear Members of the Cycad Society:

I am pleased to announce that I have recently assumed the duties of editor of the Cycad Newsletter It is an exciting new endeavor for me Having studied the taxonomy and biology of Zamia and the other New World cycads for more than twenty years, I believe that this position will be a natural extension of the enjoyment I have had all these years A Publication of the Cycad Society dealing with cycads and cycad enthusi- Dedicated to the Conservation of Cycads through Education asts; after all, I am a “cycad nut” myself! and Scientific Research So, I would be happy to look over anything you cycad lovers all over the world care to submit to the newsletter I would Volume 25 Number 1 - March 2002 prefer to receive these as e-mail attach- ments in Microsoft Word or plain text files, but if you care to mail a floppy disk, The Cycad Society’s Board of Directors this too is acceptable I would like the Tom Broome—President Lynne M Clos newsletter to appeal to all “cycad The Cycad Jungle 1185 Claremont Drive people” from academics to those who 9128 Golden Gate Bl Boulder, CO 80303 simply enjoy watching these marvelous Polk City, FL 33868 lmclos@netonecom plants grow in their gardens and green- CycadJungl@aolcom Tim Gregory houses year after year I will look forward R L Frasier—Vice President 564 Shoal Cr to working with you! 5315 Sunshine Drive Redwood City, CA 94065 Austin, Texas 78756 tim@genecom Dr Bart Schutzman RLfrasier@aolcom Larry Krauss University of Florida Terrence Walters, PhD—Treasurer 3355 Blanchette Trail Environmental Horticulture Dep’t Executive Director Lake Worth, FL 33467 1525 Fifield Hall Montgomery Botanical Center LKRAUSS55@aolcom Gainesville, FL 32611-0670 11901 Old Cutler Road Donald J Kurth Miami, FL 33156 10569 Apple Lane E-mail: cycad@mailifasufledu walters@fiuedu Alta Loma, CA 91737 Tel: (352) 392-1831 x 332 Jody Haynes—Secretary DonKurth@aolcom Fax: (352) 392-3870 9525 Jamaica Dr Garrie P Landry Miami, FL 33189 University of Louisiana at Lafayette webmaster@plantapalmcom PO Box 42451, Lafayette, LA 70504 SC Doughty, PhD—Back Issues garrie@cox-internetcom LSU-Shreveport, Room 107, Bronson Hall Irvin R McDaniel Shreveport, LA 71115 4034 Crest Heights 318/797-5306 FAX 318/797-5135 Fallbrook, CA 92028-4908 sdoughty@pilotlsusedu irval@simplywebnet Liz Butler 1612 Hollow Pl Librarian—Libby Besse El Cajon, CA 92019 6729 Peacock Rd cycadmania@aolcom Sarasota, FL 34242 In This Issue: The Search for the Ultimate Cycad Seed Cleaning Procedure  2 President’s Message  3 Propagation and Culture of Cycads: A Practical Approach  4 Seedbank Report  5 Treasurer’s Report  6 Panamanian Paradise Revisited  7 Open Letter from Mike Michaelson  9 Contributors to the Cycad Society: Jan2001-Jan2002  13

The Cycad Newsletter Page 1 The Search for the was the only natural way I had ever heard of Ultimate Cycad Seed In 1992, an old grovesman told me Cleaning Procedure a story about a product he had used in the 1950’s to separate the seeds from Tom Broome oranges so that they could be used to plant rootstock material for grafting One of the difficult aspects of citrus He told me how they would growing zamias is the chore of cleaning throw massive amounts of oranges in a the seeds Unlike the seed coats of large cow trough and then cover the other cycad seeds, most zamias have a oranges with water He would next very rubbery seed coat that sticks to pour a cup full of an unknown liquid the seed I have seen hundreds of into the trough In approximately a thousands of seeds wasted because week the oranges would break down people did not have the time or the into pulp, and the seeds would sink method to clean them down to the bottom of the trough The Zamia floridana seed prior to cleaning In my early years of growing cycads most important aspect of this method I would only produce 100 seeds or less was that the seeds were still viable I at a time I would watch TV at night, wondered if something like this would scraping the seeds one at a time with work with cycad seeds The man didn’t my pocket knife I had to find a better even know how to read and could not way than this Next, I put the seeds in give me any clues as to what this an empty pot and placed it near a fire product may have been ant mound Within a week the ants After months of searching (most would pick the seeds clean This people didn’t even know what I was worked pretty well but the ants asking about) I discovered that product wouldn’t clean more than a couple of was a pectinase enzyme From what I hundred seeds before they would lose was told the enzyme breaks down the interest Dr Bijan Dehgan at the cellular structure of fruit but wouldn’t University of Florida told me his harm other materials such as seeds or Scarring seeds after three days soaking favorite method was using a wire brush plant material In Florida this enzyme on a drill He instructed me to put the is still used to separate the orange seeds in a coffee can, cut a hole in the seeds from the fruit in mass quantities lid, and insert the wire brush into the In North Carolina it has been used to drill through the lid so that when it was make apple juice By using the placed on the can it would keep any enzyme, more juice can be produced extra material from flying out when the from each apple because there is no drill was turned on This worked very wasted material, except for the seeds, well but I needed something that would to throw away I thought I would check clean thousands of seeds at a time I all this for myself so I procured some improved on this method by taking a enzyme and conducted a few length of “all thread” (a metal shaft experiments I put some Zamia with threads all the way up and down), floridana seeds in three different cups, and placing three large wire brushes on and put three different strengths of the shaft with nuts in between each enzyme solution to test for speed of cleaning I used 1/2, 1, and 1 1/2 brush I would fill an entire five gallon “Seed soup” ready to wash bucket full of seeds, add water and a teaspoons of enzyme per pint of water little sand, and scrape the seeds for for the three different cups After a almost an hour I would then use a week, there was what appeared to be a pressure hose to clean off most of the liquid wax floating on the top, and residue, but not all seeds were after two weeks only a few seeds were perfectly clean I have seen other clean I assumed the enzyme was nurserymen over the years use rock having a hard time penetrating the tumblers, cement mixers, and potato seed coat I tried scraping the seed peelers to clean their seeds but they coat a little for my next experiment found that many of the seeds would be Eureka! The enzyme entered the wound damaged One nurseryman used to and broke down the coat from nick the seed coat, place his seeds on a underneath Depending upon the size bed of clean sand, cover with a screen, of the hole the seeds were perfectly and pile oak leaves on everything clean in as soon as five days using the After a month or so the bugs and 1 1/2 teaspoon rate All I had to do natural enzymes would clean the seeds after that was to rinse them in water Even though it sounded bizarre, this continued page 15 Rinsing off the cleaned seeds

The Cycad Newsletter Page 2 worked on The Cycad Newsletter goes on, and if everything turns President’s Message She not only took our newsletter to out right, there should be seeds a whole new level, but spent a available to our seed bank from great deal of her own time these and other sources For our searching for articles She even new members, the seed bank attended all of our board makes available many rare species meetings She was also responsible of cycad seeds Seeds are made for putting together the majority available in usually small of our two-day meeting in New quantities so our members are able Orleans this past year This really to afford to get these rare species shows her dedication to our in their collections Darin is going society, particularly because she out of his way to make sure that was never a member of the board the seeds you get are as true to or even a member of our society I name as possible and you can be hope as time goes on, both of sure that the seeds are all safe and these things will change Debra has legal Sorry, but seeds of Appendix I would like to welcome all our already joined our society, and 1 species are not allowed to be new members as well as our hopefully someday, if she is still exported to countries outside of returning members to a new year willing, she would make a great the US Darin cares a lot about with the Cycad Society This is my addition to our board Debra, I’m cycads and cycad conservation, first official year as president and I sure I can speak for all of our and should be commended for all hope it will be a good one for members and say thank you very his efforts everyone At our last board meet– much for everything you have As you can see from the ing, we took a great deal of time done treasurer’s report, funds and discussing what we could do to You may have noticed one of especially donations are on the improve the society, and the our new improvements already, in increase We have many members quality of the product our that this is our first issue that has that care about our society and members receive As the year goes been professionally printed This because of their efforts and on, you will continue to see the issue will be our first issue printed donations, our society is becoming improvements we have planned in full color Color is expensive, more financially secure I have had First, I would like to welcome but is worth the price if we have good feedback from our members Dr Bart Schutzman as our new pictures of good quality At this in regard to what they would like editor Bart is well known in the time, I would like to ask our to see happen with the society, cycad world for his work with members to send in quality photos and where improvements need to zamias, and has described quite a of cycads, and to write articles be made As we become more few Zamia species He is also a that will include some good color secure, we can take on new member of the IUCN Cycad photos We are wanting to use projects and make more Specialist Group Bart has a lot of color for our entire issue, so we improvements I would like to experience with producing would like some nice pictures that thank everyone who has donated publications that dates all the way will look good for these purposes I money and time to the society I back to the time he worked on his hope everyone is pleased with our would also like to thank Terrence high school and even junior high improvements for the great report, I know it school newspapers, to the present Darin is doing a great job with takes a lot of time and effort to where he puts together the our seed bank He has put out two put something like this together newsletter for the Department of lists in the short time he has been As always, feel free to write to Environmental Horticulture at the in charge His last list had 18 me by mail or e-mail with any University of Florida I’m sure Bart species available, which is comments or suggestions you may will be a great asset to our society probably close to an all-time have for our society This is our See his editor’s report for his record Darin has even taken upon society, and it should be a society contact information so you can himself to find people with coning that all our members are proud to send any pictures, articles, or plants that are not pollinating be a part of questions you may have to be them, and helping them produce included in the newsletter seeds He has also been working Tom Broome I would like to thank Debra with a few botanical gardens to Waters for the many years she has help them produce seeds As time

The Cycad Newsletter Page 3 This article was originally presented at the Second International Symposium on Ornamental Palms and other Monocots from the Tropics, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 3-6 February 1997, and was subsequently published in: Acta Hort 486, ISHS 1999, pp 123-131 PROPAGATION AND CULTURE OF CYCADS: A PRACTICAL APPROACH Bijan Dehgan and Fe Almira Environmental Horticulture Department, Horticultural Systematics Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 “In the end, We will conserve only what we love, We will love only what we understand, We will understand only what we are taught” Baba Dioum

ABSTRACT Cycads are a geologically primitive group of threatened or endangered gymnosperms whose ancestors were widespread when dinosaurs were still roaming the earth Today, the ±180 remaining species are restricted to specific tropical and subtropical regions of the Old and the New Worlds Recent recommendations of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) include encouraging extensive propagation and culture of these magnificent ancient plants Through our original research and publications in the past two decades, we have made long strides towards facilitating their commercial production Methods of artificial pollination to ensure seed production and finding the proper treatments to expedite seed germination have been reported Mechanical removal of the fleshy seed coat (sarcotesta), scarification of bony layer (sclerotesta) with sulfuric acid (H SO ), and promoting rapid embryo development by soaking in the growth regulator gibberellic 2 4 acid (GA ), all have collectively increased germination of several species Root growth and branching has been enhanced significantly by 3 decapitation of the original seedling taproot and dipping the cut end in yet another growth regulator, indolebutyric acid (IBA) Appropriate irrigation frequency and applications of liquid and slow-release fertilizers that contain micronutrients, have resulted in exceptionally rapid growth and elimination of deficiencies And finally, in what may be the most significant contribution towards cycad conservation, vegetative propagation has been made possible by forcing plants to branch profusely, despite absence of any lateral buds homologous to that of angiosperms and conifres This has allowed their multiplication through division of segments To the best of our knowledge, protocols for commercially feasible micropropagation of cycads have not been reported

Cycads range in size from the small Zamia fruit, is said to be naked (not enclosed SEED PRODUCTION: ARTIFICIAL HAND POLLINATION pygmaea Sims of about 20cm and leaves within an ovary)' In general, the Seed propagation is the only practical of fewer than 10 leaflets to Lepidozamia megasporophylls of genera other than method of large-scale, commercial cycad hopei Regel of about 20m and 150-200 Cycas each hold two seeds' Artificial production' However, often seeds are not leaflets per leaf' Most are caudiciform, pollination and seed propagation available for purchase, species planted at least when young, and all possess necessitate an intimate familiarity with distant from their native range cannot pinnately compound leaves, except cones and seed structure' be pollinated because the specific insect Bowenia spp', which have bipinnately Nearly all cycads are endangered, pollinators are absent, or production and compound leaves' Without exception, threatened, or commercially exploited to maturity of male and female cones are cycads are dioecious, with male and excess' In some cases they nearly or asynchronous' Regardless of the cause, female cones (or micro- and megastrobili) completely have disappeared from the hand pollination is requisite for maximum occurring on separate plants' Only in wild, either as a result of overcollecting seed production' Cycas spp' do the female cones consist or agricultural activities' Accordingly, it Often the male cone begins to shed of loosely arranged, concentric groups of has been suggested for many years pollen long before the female is ready seed-bearing, leaflike structures, each (Dehgan, 1983, 1996, Dehgan and Almira for pollination' If so, collect the entire having from one to as many as nine seeds, 1993, Giddy 1993) and recently agreed male cone when pollen first begins to depending on the species' The seed and upon by IUCN (Giddy, 1996), that if the shed, place on a large piece of paper pollen-bearing segments of cones are demand for cycads is met through (newspaper usually functions well) or referred to as mega- and propagation and large scale commercial paper sack (not plastic) and keep in a microsporophylls, respectively' Both the production, the decimation of wild dry, warm location where there is no air male and the female cones of genera populations by unscrupulous collectors flow' The pollen should be completely other than Cycas consist of tightly will no longer occur' Thus, a major released within a few days' Collect and organized peltate (in Bowenia, challenge to nurserymen and store the pollen in a jar together with a Ceratozamia, Encephalartos, Microcycas, conservationists is to produce superior package of desiccant and place in a Lepidozamia, Macrozamia, and Zamia), plants which would make collection of refrigerator' Properly stored pollen will or leaflike, overlapping, more or less wild specimens unnecessary and remain viable for about one year' triangular, palaceous (in Dioon and economically unjustifiable' To Recognizing when the female cone is Stangeria) sporophylls' Unlike palms and accomplish this, it is necessary to discuss ready for pollination requires more other flowering plants, cycads do not the needed steps in commercial frequent observation and recognition of possess an ovary and therefore lack a production (also, see Dehgan, 1993, the signals' Cycas megasporophylls fruit' The seed, although resembling 1996a)' continued next page

The Cycad Newsletter Page 4 Cycad Propagation (from previous page) Macrozamia, and Stangeria will pollinated and/or fertilized when under appear as a somewhat rigid, well- germinate without much difficulty, as cultivation (Hubbuch, 1987, pers' obs')' organized rosette when fully expanded' long as their embryo is fully developed Although the seeds may appear normal, When ready for pollination, they will have and the sarcotesta is removed before the embryo is frequently absent' a pinkish-gray color and a distinct musty planting (unpublished data)' Microcycas However, seeds from hand pollinated odor' If a male cone is shedding calocoma (Miq') A'DC' seeds have been cones of E& gratus Prain at Fairchild simultaneously, remove it with a sharp successfully germinated by the staff of Tropical Garden germinated nearly 100% knife or a pair of sheers and gently shake Fairchild Tropical Garden and reported without any treatment' When soaked in while holding atop the female cone' GA for 24 and 48 hours, they germinated to have a short period of maturation 3 Leave the male cone in proximity of the time, occasionally germinating as the quickly and uniformly' Seeds collected female for a few days, if possible' cone falls apart (Hubbuch, 1987)' In from wild plants of Encephalartos spp' Additional pollen may be shed and contrast, despite normal appearance, were reported by Giddy (pers' comm') transported by beetles to the ovules Encephalartos spp' seem to have the to germinate without difficulty, while during the night' If no fresh pollen is peculiar difficulty of not being properly continued page 10 available, then use the stored pollen by gently and evenly blowing onto the open female cone' It may be necessary to mix Cycad Society Seedbank Report the pollen with a small amount of talcum January 2002 powder to increase the volume' Use a small straw to deposit the pollen on or into the cone, as necessary' The window Dear Members, th of opportunity for pollination of Cycas On Jan 14 , 2002 we mailed out the first seed list of the year which may be as long as two to three weeks' included the following species: Bowenia spectabilis, Ceratozamia The process is somewhat more complex microstrobila, Ceratozamia norstogii, Cycas littoralis, Cycas in the female cone of genera other than siamensis, Cycas siamensis (Dwarf), Cycas simplicipinna, Cycas sp' Cycas' The megasporophylls are tightly (“Nova Wilailak”), Dioon holmgrenii, Encephalartos lehmanii, arranged in a true cone and not readily Encephalartos manikensis (Vanduzi), Lepidozamia peroffskyana, amenable to pollen entry' However, when Macrozamia miquelii, Zamia amblyphyllidia, Zamia kickxii, Zamia ready for pollination, long cracks appear neurophyllidia, Zamia portoricensis, and Zamia soconuscensis' Due to in one or more locations on the cone' A their rarity, some species were in very short supply so we were not distinct musty odor emanates from these able to fill everyone’s requests 100%' I believe it is of greater benefit cracks' Deposition of the pollen within to offer a few seeds to as many members as possible than to not have the cracks may be accomplished in one purchased them at all' The timing of my mailing of the lists is as fair of several ways' A cotton swab may be as I can make it for everyone to have an equal opportunity to slightly moistened, dipped or rolled in purchase the seeds they desire' It is imperative for you to call or fax pollen, and rubbed onto the exposed me your seed wishes as soon as possible to ensure seeds are still in areas in the cone' A recent method stock' suggested by a nurseryman involves mixing the pollen with water and using a Seed lists: can be obtained by sending several self-addressed, syringe to deposit the mixture into the stamped, business style envelopes to my above address or by joining cracks' And still another alternative our online seed list' See the June 2001 issue of the Cycad Newsletter entails direct pollen deposit into the for instructions on joining the online seed list or email me at the cracks with toothpicks or other devices' above address for help' There is no shortage of innovative methods for assuring pollen transfer to Seed sources: We are always actively seeking new seed sources and the female cones and much success has we are interested in obtaining seeds of almost every species' As been achieved regardless of the method always, our seed sources are kept confidential' We welcome any utilized' A problem may arise with quantity of seed we can get and I can be contacted at the above species of Dioon, however' In this case, numbers and email' the opening occurs at the very base of the cone and results in some mechanical Many Thanks, difficulty in pollen deposition and its Darin Yeatman transfer to the upper portion of the cone' The Cycad Society Seed Bank Pollination may have to be done with care Darin Yeatman and several times in a period of two or 11442 E Winchell St more weeks' Whittier, Ca 90606 Ph:562-695-4222 Fax:562-699-7956 S GERMINATION: TREATMENTS AND STRATEGIES EED cycadseedbank@earthlinknet Seeds of most species of Bowenia, Ceratozamia, Dioon, Lepidozamia,

The Cycad Newsletter Page 5 The Cycad Society Treasurer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2001 This report is the second financial report I have produced for Acknowledgments: The author would like to thank and TCS Members as treasurer of The Cycad Society For your acknowledge the support of Directors Garrie Landry, RL reference, the first financial report was published in Volume Frasier, Jody Haynes, and Tom Broome and Debra Waters 24 Number 1 issue of The Cycad Newsletter Their support of the duties and responsibilities associated with TCS Treasurer position is greatly appreciated As of January 1, 2002 TCS was maintaining two bank accounts: a general checking account and a savings account Both of the Dr Terrence Walters accounts are with Tech Federal Savings Bank in Lafayette, Treasurer, The Cycad Society Louisiana Table 1 documents TCS’s assets and liabilities for c/o Montgomery Botanical Center the start of the following three years: 2000, 2001, and 2002 11901 Old Cutler Road Miami, Florida 33156-4242 Table 2 reports expenses TCS incurred in 2001 and in 2000 TCS uses categories to identify the source of income and Table 2. Income and Expense Comparison Summary for The Cycad Society expenses These categories are listed in the left column for Fiscal Years 2000 & 2001 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 $ % Some categories such as “Newsletter” contain subcategories Category 12/31/2000 12/31/2001 Difference Difference for better detail of expenses Income Assorted Income $6.00 $0.00 ($6.00) -100.00% For 2001, TCS had an income of $11,91929 and expensed Back Issues 0.00 57.50 57.50 N/A $8,48565 Contributions increased by 154% in 2001 when Contribution: compared to 2000 A sizable contribution was received in 2001 Restricted 3.24 17.04 13.80 425.93% Restricted-Brochure 100.00 0.00 -100.00 -100.00% from the Cycad Society Seedbank The benefit of paying by Unrestricted 998.00 2,787.02 1,789.02 179.26% credit card through PayPal has been appreciated by TCS —————— —————— —————— —————— Members Payment to PayPal for membership dues increased Total Contribution 1,101.24 2,804.06 1,702.82 154.63% Membership: 74% from 2000 Mail 7,216.00 8,147.00 931.00 12.90% Pay Pal 338.11 590.73 252.62 74.72% In 2001, newsletter production costs showed an increase of ———————————— —————— —————— Total Membership 7,554.11 8,737.73 1,183.62 15.67% 67% compared to 2000 However, a significant portion of 2001 Newsletter Ads 0.00 320.00 320.00 N/A newsletter expenses was associated with 2000 newsletter PayPal Deposit 5.00 0.00 -5.00 -100.00% —————— —————— —————— —————— production Obtaining invoices from the company handling the Total Income $8,666.35 $11,919.29 $3,252.94 37.54% newsletter can often take months

A detailed income and expense report has been submitted to 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 $ % all TCS officers This report includes detail for all monies Category 12/31/2000 12/31/2001 Difference Difference received and paid out in 2001 from the Treasurer’s office An electronic copy of the accounting file maintained by the TCS Expenses Bank Charges $59.24 $17.80 ($41.44) -69.95% Treasurer has been submitted to the President Consultant Fee 1,200.00 1,600.00 400.00 33.33% Contracts 313.00 253.00 -60.00 -19.17% Events 62.40 0.00 -62.40 -100.00% Legal 5.00 5.00 0.00 0% The above report is submitted to The Cycad Society Officers, Logo 40.29 0.00 -40.29 -100.00% Directors, and Members on January 17, 2002 by Dr Terrence Miscellaneous 0.00 92.96 92.96 N/A Newsletter: Walters, Treasurer of The Cycad Society Assorted 0.00 33.00 33.00 N/A Envelope 124.65 130.65 6.00 4.81% Four Color Plates 1,296.00 1,718.00 422.00 32.56% Labels 51.94 0.00 -51.94 -100.00% Table 1. Net Worth for The Cycad Society for the start of Postage 1,197.61 2,274.19 1,076.58 89.89% the years 2000, 2001, and 2002. Printing 614.00 1,470.00 856.00 139.41% Stuffing 110.00 165.00 55.00 50.00% Two Color Plates 395.00 562.00 167.00 42.28% The Cycad Society 1/1/2000 1/1/2001 1/1/2002 —————— —————— —————— —————— Financial Review Balance Balance Balance Total Newsletter 3,789.20 6,352.84 2,563.64 67.66% Postage 122.23 144.10 21.87 17.89% Assets Supplies General 0.00 19.98 19.98 N/A —————— —————— —————— —————— Cash and Bank Accounts Total Expenses $5,591.36 $8,485.68 $2,894.32 51.76% Checking - General $2,262.57 $7,113.05 $10,546.66 Checking - Editor 1,775.49 0.00 0.00 Savings 1,054.59 1,073.05 1,088.58 —————— —————— —————— —————— Total Income/Expenses $3,074.99 $3,433.61 $358.62 11.66% ————— ————— ————— Total Cash and Bank Accounts 5,092.65 8,186.10 11,635.24 Transfers: To Checking Account -1,194.66 0.00 1,194.66 100.00% ————— ————— ————— To Checking-Editor -3,000.00 0.00 3,000.00 100.00% From Checking Account 3,000.00 0.00 -3,000.00 -100.00% Total Assets 5,092.65 8,186.10 11,635.24 From Checking-Editor 1,194.66 0.00 -1,194.66 -100.00% —————— —————— —————— —————— Liabilities 0.00 0.00 0.00 Total Transfers $0.00 $0.00 0.00 0% ————— ————— ————— —————— —————— —————— —————— Overall Total $5,092.65 $8,186.10 $11,635.24 Overall Total $3,074.99 $3,433.61 $358.62 11.66% ======

The Cycad Newsletter Page 6 Panamanian Paradise

by Revisited Russell Adams, Gainesville Tree Farm Adapted from the Montgomery News, Deena Decker Walters, Editor

The end of the road was just the “Big game hunting” in the beginning wilds of Panama leads to a sizeable trophy The year 2001 brought about a second Panama Expedition involving three great institutions and a reunion among three old friends' The group included myself as representative of the Montgomery Botanical Center, Dr' Dennis Stevenson from the New York Botanical Garden, and Dr' Alberto The price of our taxi ride to El Guabal was to unload Taylor from the University of Panama' the trucks We were joined on this excursion by Caribbean slope to the headwaters of world traveler and cycad enthusiast the Calovebora River' This location is Alan Whittington of Florida' Our goal where Dr' Bob Dressler reported was to explore the northwestern finding a plant that was a “perfect region of Panama, including the states match” for Warscewicz’s 1851 sketch of Cocle, Veraguas, Chiriquí, and and description of Z& skinneri' Bocas Del Toro' We were especially With our shiny new SUV buried interested in the Zamia skinneri/Z& to the frame only two kilometers neurophyllidia complex and targeted outside of Santa Fe (see photo several localities for this group' above), our hopes of a successful trip From Panama City, we traveled were greatly diminished' Alberto was west to the town of Santa Fe' This dispatched back to Santa Fe for help, was to be our starting point for what while Dennis, Alan, and I set our backs we knew would be a very long and to the task of extracting the vehicle difficult day of travel' We planned to from the giant mud hole' Two hours drive our four wheel drive Pathfinder later, we were much muddier but no Mature female megastrobilus of Zamia as far as the road would allow and closer to freeing the vehicle from the neurophyllidia then continue on foot over the suction of the giant hole' At this brought about by leg cramps from continental divide and down the moment, the most wonderful sight we constant flexing as the trucks forded could imagine rounded the corner — a small rivers, traversed giant boulders, caravan of four-wheel-drive trucks, and scaled inclines as steep as 50 right out of the “Dukes of Hazard”, degrees' The constantly shifting chairs complete with giant knobby tires and, would occasionally smash into our even better, snow chains for traction' also cramping hands, forcing us to Riding shotgun in the lead truck was relinquish our white-knuckled grip, our dear friend Alberto' The caravan but only for a second' This pain was was taking school desks and building offset by the sheer ecstasy of the supplies to a small town at the end of sights unfolding before us' This new a new road on the Calovebora River' road was less than one month old and We were saved! The trucks were we were literally traveling through completely filled with people in the miles of virgin rainforest' cab and school desks in the back, but As we neared the divide, we we were able to stand on the bumper began to see massive Z pseudopara- and hold on to the steel frame that sitica plants settled in their lofty encased the truck bed' The next two perches like venerable gray-green Dennis Stevenson hard at work in the field hours were an incredible mix of gentry looking down upon us' Were pressing leaves of Zamia lindleyi pleasure and pain' The pain was they contemplating the consequences

The Cycad Newsletter Page 7 stark contrast to the green forest were scattered sparsely along the top behind' of the ridge' The trunks averaged Once in the town of El Guabal, about a meter tall, although all sizes we quickly unloaded the trucks with from seedlings to much larger trunks the help of the entire town and were observed' Each plant held about headed into the forest' Zamias were five to six leaves per flush' New very abundant and we soon had all leaves were a bright shiny green; the the plants, herbarium vouchers, and older leaves were dull green and DNA samples we needed' The steady almost completely covered with rain that had accompanied us all day bryophytes' A leaf was composed of now became a downpour and we 20 to 30 pairs of narrow leaflets, rushed to leave before the road each leaflet measuring 2'5 cm wide became totally impassable' We arrived by about 20 cm long' back in town as night fell—bruised, As we continued down the tired, and hungry, but giggling like mountain toward the town of Chiriquí school children at the day’s events' Grande we again observed Z The next morning, we were up pseudoparasitica' In the hills above early, driving west to the town of the town, and along the costal road, Chiriquí, then turning north on one of which continues northwest to the only two roads to transect Panama Costa Rican border, we collected Z' from the Pacific to the Caribbean neurophyllidia' This plant is de- Zamia lindleyi in its cloud forest habitat coast' Near midway along this road is scribed basically as a dwarf form the continental divide and the of Z skinneri' The emergent of this new road, which was sure to Fortuna Dam area' This is an incred- leaves of this species are bright bring a flood of people? Because of ibly diverse botanical region pro- green as opposed to the reddish time constraints, we were not able to tected by the national park system of bronze color of Z skinneri, and they collect any specimens but we did Panama' Here, in cloud forest at tend to sport twice as many leaves at allow ourselves the luxury of stopping 1,200 m elevation, we found the rare any one time' Leaflets of Z to admire their magnificence' A little and beautiful Z lindleyi' The plants neurophyllidia are generally smaller further along the road, we began to and more numerous than those of Z see the real quarry of our quest - Z skinneri' However, we found some skinneri' Like garnet and ruby foun- mature Z neurophyllidia individuals tains in an emerald green sea, the with leaves over 2'2 m long and massive new leaves arched skyward leaflets 15 cm wide by 50 cm long' We from trunks measuring a meter tall' found at least one large female plant Leaves were produced in numbers with a trunk over 3 m tall' This is from one to five, but mostly in sets of much larger than any trunks of Z three' Some leaves were over 2'5 m skinneri that I have personally seen' long with leaflets up to 60 cm long Plants were abundant all throughout and 20 cm this area, but are being threatened by wide' The deforestation' anthocya- Next, we headed to the barrier nins, which islands on the seaward side of Laguna gave the de Chiriquí' We landed on the south- new leaves a ern or mainland side of the island and ruddy hue, made our way over the tall ridge that stood out in runs down the center and then started Zamia pseudomonticola in volcanic soil near down to the northern side' At the the Costa Rican border bottom of the ridge was a low swampy area' From here, the ground rose gently but steadily toward the beach' It was here that I saw some- thing that I will never forget' It was a forest of Z neurophyllidia' This forest was narrow, starting at the beach and continuing back toward the swamp for maybe 100 meters' It continued for about 1'5 km and contained literally thousands of individuals, maybe tens of thousands of plants' Plants were in

The Cycad Newsletter Page 8 all stages of development, from mainland, over the Cordillera de seedlings to mature plants with trunks Talamanca, and into the State of 3 m tall' There were emergent male Chiriquí' Near the border with Costa cones, emergent female cones, Rica, at an elevation of 1,300 m, we female cones with ripe seeds, and found the beautiful and controversial cones at every stage in between' Z pseudomonticola' The plants were Zamias were the dominant understory growing along steep slopes in dark plant as well as the dominant ground volcanic soils in the forest remnants cover' This was due in part to the fact between coffee plantations' Trunks that the indigenous people keep the were up to 1'2 m tall with leaves up underbrush down with their ma- to 2 m long' The bright glossy green chetes' The zamias, like the great leaflets had a slight crease down the Hydra of myth, seem to sprout anew middle, and the petiole was lightly with each swing of the blade' The armed with prickles' severed apex, likewise, falls to the On our way back to Panama City, ground, becomes rooted, and contin- we stopped in the State of Cocle near ues growing' This has created the the the town of El Valle to look for the most robust population of cycads I diminutive Z acuminata' We found have ever seen' I only hope some them in abundance along the slopes of steps towards conservation are made an extinct volcano' This is a subterra- in this area, as beach-front real nean species with small glossy green estate, even in these remote islands, leaves less than 60 cm long' Russell Adams with an ancient specimen of is at a premium' The first beach house The 2001 Panama Expedition was Zamia neurophyllidia on this part of the island already an unqualified success' Over 50 decimated the eastern accessions of cycads and palms were end of the cycad collected' Collaborations developed population' during this and the previous Panama On the next leg expedition will continue to benefit of our journey, we MBC and the scientific community at traveled back to the large for years to come'

Open Letter from Mike Michaelson to the Cycad Society

In June, 2001, Mike Michaelson resigned his position as the director of the Cycad Society Seed Bank after more than nine years of excellent service to our members Mike has requested that we print this letter as part of a plea agreement between his attorney and those of the US Fish and Wildlife Service The dominant understory plant on the windward side of this Caribbean barrier island was Zamia neurophyllidia Dear Members,

On July 6, 2001 I purchased approximately 500 Encephalartos seeds that were smuggled into the US' I have lived to regret that transaction very much'

On January 24, 2002 I was sentenced to six months house arrest, five years probation, and a five thousand dollar fine'

Please let me warn you to not purchase any seeds or plants that are not from a reputable person' I would further suggest that if you do purchase seeds or plants, ask to see the documentation from CITES'

With deep remorse,

Dr Alberto Taylor measuring a leaflet of the red-emergent Zamia Mike Michaelsen skinneri

The Cycad Newsletter Page 9 Cycad Propagation (from pg 5) 20 minutes in H SO and 24 hours in GA , results' Subsequent studies, however, 2 4 3 respectively (Dehgan & Schutzman, have indicated no need for H S0 2 4 those collected from cultivated plants 1983)' Best germination in both cases treatment but a decidedly positive often germinate erratically' In a recent occurred under intermittent mist' Similar benefit from 24 hours of GA soak (Dehgan 3 report Osborne(1990), indicated that results have been reported for and Almira, unpub' data)' Field collected thousands of plants of E transvenosus Macrozamia communis L'Johnson by seeds of several Australian Cycas spp', Stapf & Burtt Davy (the Modjadji Cycad) Ellstrand et al' (1990)' when allowed to mature for about two have been produced and distributed to Although they appear mature, seeds of months, germinated without any the public' Moreover, seeds from some Cycas species are particularly treatment' artificially pollinated cones of E difficult to germinate' In this case, the It is noteworthy that cycad seeds are laurentianus De Wild' were reported to embryo is actually in the early stages of recalcitrant: they cannot be rehydrated have 60% germination (Crosiers & development' Storage in a warm once their water content falls below a Malaisse, 1995)' Inviability of environment usually results in relatively critical minimum' This is often indicated Encephalartos seeds from artificially rapid embryo development but also rapid by the complete separation of the female pollinated cones may be the result of loss of viability' By contrast, cold storage gametophyte tissue (the endosperm) spermatozoid rejection by egg cells results in slow development of the from the sclerotesta, resulting in rattling (Steyn et al' 1996)' embryo but minimal loss of viability' Best of seeds and their floatation in water The major difficulty seems to be with results were obtained when seeds were (Dehgan and Yuen, 1973)' Floatation of some of the commonly cultivated genera' collected as they Zamia and especially Cycas suffer from appeared fully Bowenia serrulata megastrobilus what is referred to by Nikolaeva (1977) developed, kept in a as “morphophysiological complex 5oC storage for four dormancy” (Dehgan & Johnson, 1983; months so as to Dehgan & Schutzman 1989)' This may allow development involve actual physiological dormancy, of the embryo' embryo immaturity, chemical inhibitors Seeds kept in room in the sarcotesta (the fleshy outer seed temperature (22oC) coat), and thick impermeable sclerotesta for the same time (the bony inner seed coat)' Zamia period had well- floridana A'DC', for example, does not developed embryo have embryo dormancy if cones are but only 45% of the allowed to disintegrate before the seeds seeds germinated are collected' Removal of the sarcotesta rapidly after and treatment of seeds with H S0 for removal of the 2 4 about one hour results in excellent sarcotesta' The germination in 20 to 30 days' However, remaining 55% did if seeds are treated with H SO followed not germinate 2 4 by 24 hr' GA soak at 1000 ppm, uniform (Dehgan and 3 germination of up to 100% may occur in Schutzman, 1989)' about two to four weeks (Dehgan and Treatment with Johnson, 1983)' In Z furfuracea L'f', H S0 for 20 and 30 2 4 the optimal treatment periods are 15 to min' gave mixed

Dioon spinulosum with megastrobilus Cycas revoluta megastrobilus

The Cycad Newsletter Page 10 Vanstaden, 1996a, 1996b; Rinaldi, and Leva, 1995), commercially practicable protocols have not yet been achieved' Cycads do not possess lateral buds and therefore do not generate lateral shoots or branches (Stevenson, 1990)' Except for very rare occurrence of “crested” plants, where multiple branches appear in a row(s), similar to a rooster’s comb, dichotomous branching occurs only in male plants of some species' In this case, following cone production, the apical germinating Zamia seed meristem divides once in one direction seeds in water, however, is not always recommended in the original publication, and in the following year at a 90 degree indicative of seed inviability' For although effective in promoting angle in relation to the first division' True example, the presence of spongy tissue additional root branches, has since been division of branches is much less common in seeds of Cycas rumphii Miq' complex discouraged because it results in in female plants and usually occurs at the [apparently erroneously published as C development of short, stubby roots that base of the plant' However, the circinalis L' by Dehgan and Yuen (1983) require a long time before resumption commonly known “pups” or “bulbs” but since shown by Hill (1995) to be C of normal growth' The earlier hypothesis which occur in some species, are rumphii] results in buoyancy irrespective that slow growth of cycads is at least in adventitious in origin and may be used of viability' In general, all mature cycad part attributable to inherently to vegetatively propagate cycads' A seeds appear to respond positively to a inadequate root development, has proven detailed discussion of this propagation GA soak as indicated by our studies, as accurate' It is a matter of simple logic method has been presented by Giddy 3 well as others (e' g' Butt, 1990; Ellstrand that if one root absorbs a certain amount (1974)' Remove the “side shoots” with et al' 1990)' of water and nutrients, additional roots a knife, wash to dislodge debris or soil Cycad seeds germinate best when can accomplish the same task more from the leaf bases, treat with a planted in a well-drained medium, in a efficiently' Consequently, the plants grow fungicide, and allow to remain in a cool horizontal or lateral, but not vertical, more quickly and, if fertilized and location for about a week' Quick dip the position' While watching germination irrigated properly (see below), they cut end in IBA at 5000 to 10,000 ppm and stages, two very important facts may be appear superior to any that may be plant in a well-drained medium' Keep noted: (a) cycad seeds are haustorial and collected from the wild' moist but not wet until roots are formed' remain attached to the seedling for as Be patient, it may take some time for long as two or more years after BRANCHING: VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION adventitious roots to develop, perhaps germination' They should not be Although some success in as long as a year or longer for some forcefully removed; and (b) leaves appear micropropagation of cycads has been species' from the upper portion of a very short reported (Chavez, et al', 1992; Jager and The adventitious branches are usually stem soon after germination and will not limited in number and often not feasible develop properly if seeds are planted vertically' Also, if planted vertically, water accumulates in the seed and may result in seed or seedling decay'

ROOT PRUNING: IMPROVED WATER AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION The results of experiments by Dehgan and Johnson (1987) with Z floridana and more recently (Dehgan and Almira, unpublished data) with Dioon califanoi De Luca & Sabato, Cycas revoluta Thunb' and other species has shown that when the primary seedling root is severed near its junction with the stem, and the cut end is dipped in 2000 ppm IBA (or higher concentration if K-IBA is used) for 5 sec', usually two or more roots replace the original single root, which is characteristic of all cycads' Use of Benzyladenine (BA) which was BA treatment effects on Zamia seedlings

The Cycad Newsletter Page 11 for commercial purposes' Localized division was based remain viable, some application of certain growth regulators, changes have become necessary to lower CONCLUSIONS such as Promaline (GA /GA + BA) has the weight of the soil mix and its cost' The recent escalation of interest in 4 7 been shown to increase the number of The following soil mix is recommended cycads by botanical scientists, shoots dramatically (Dehgan and Almira, for all species, but with serious professional nurserymen, and amateur 1995)' This method has proven so consideration given to their native collectors has contributed to both a successful with Z floridana, C revoluta habitat' Soil moisture should be primarily greater appreciation of and , and several other less common species' controlled by irrigation frequency rather endangerment to cycads' Several notable As a consequence of branching induction than water-holding capacity of the soil private collections around the world are and unusually rapid development of the mix' Thus, plants of the more mesic of considerable significance in terms of caudex, young plants appear very large, habitats, such as most species of Zamia, germplasm availability, but the demand reaching a size usually expected of 50- some Ceratozamia spp', Bowenia spp', for plants has far exceeded the supply, or more year- old wild individuals' Cycas spp', Microcycas calocoma, resulting in decimation of many cycad Although the primary intent of forced Macrozamia spp', Lepidozamia spp', and populations' We can no longer allow branching was conservation of rare and Stangeria eriopus' (Kunze) Baillon, wholesale destruction of these endangered plants for which seeds are require more frequent irrigation and a magnificent ancient plants' It befalls to generally unavailable, the method has higher soil moisture than species of the horticulturists and nurserymen to shown considerable commercial more xeric habitats, such as Z produce superior plants so as to prevent potential' Additional studies are furfuracea, Encephalartos spp', Dioon plant poaching' Such an endeavor is underway to further facilitate the spp', and somesome Ceratozamia possible only through horticultural practice' species A typical soil mix should have research' It is a certainty that, despite equal parts by volume of peat moss + the efforts of CITES and some PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE: IRRIGATION AND sharp sand + perlite + pine bark, to which governmental agencies, decimation of FERTILIZATION should be added 2'25 kg/M3 (51b/yd3) of wild populations will continue as long as It is a myth among nurserymen that dolomite and 1'25 kg/M3 (3lb/yd3) perk the demand for these valuable plants is most cycad species develop much too micronutrients' not met through horticultural production' slowly for large scale production to be Experience indicates that plants grown Research results of the past two decades economically feasible' Admittedly some in acid soils (pH < 6'5) usually perform have encouraged commercial production cycads are slow to develop and usually poorly' For example, Dehgan et al' (1994) of cycads, which in concert with the even much slower in reaching recently noted that such problems as Cycad Specialist Group of the IUCN and reproductive maturity' Stem growth is “frizzle top” (similar to that of palms) positive actions of CITES and concerned primarily dependent on annual leaf and micronutrient (specifically Mn,) individuals has significantly frustrated, production, and in turn leaf development deficiencies are indirectly caused by low though by no means prevented, the and elongation appears to be directly soil pH' For best results the optimal soil pilfering of natural cycad populations' related to healthy root growth' pH should be 6'5 to 7'0, hence addition Therefore, it follows that stimulating of dolomite' In general, except in acid Literature Cited good root development would directly soils, micronutrient deficiencies can be impact the plant growth' For plants to corrected with addition of micronutrients Butt, L' P' 1990' An introduction to the grow quickly and in good health, the soil or application of “complete fertilizers”' genus Cycas in Australia' Publication mix must be well-drained, have an Availability of micronutrient-amended Fund, Palm & Cycad Societies of optimal pH and nutrient balance, and be slow release fertilizers have made Australia' kept sufficiently moist to meet the needs possible maintenance of a consistent, Chavez, V' M', R' E' Litz, P' A' Moon, and of the plant, but not so much as to create reasonable level of fertility in the soil K'J' Norstog' 1992' Somatic anaerobic conditions' In terms of large for relatively long periods of time and embryogenesis from leaf callus of scale production in containers, one can avoidance of too frequent fertilization mature plants of the gymnosperm only discuss watering and fertilization in (Dehgan and Almira, unpublished data)' Ceratozamia mexicana var' robusta relation to the soil mix' It has been However, a direct correlation between (Miq') Dyer (Cycadales)' In Vitro Cell' pointed out that growth of cycads is fertilizer amounts and shade levels has Develop' Biol' Plant 28: 59-63' negatively affected by severe reduction been shown by Keever and Cobb (1986) Crosiers, C' and F' P' Malaisse' 1995' Ex- in soil moisture (Dehgan, 1983)' Under for Z furfuracea and subsequently situ pollination and multiplication of cultivation, however, too frequent confirmed by Dehgan and Almira Encephalartos laurentianus Dewild irrigation, as opposed to dryness, is often (unpublished data) for Z floridana, Cycas (Zamiaceae-Cycadales)' Biodivers' the problem that results in reduced soil revoluta, C taitungensis C' F' Shen et Conserve' 4: 767-775' oxygen and directly affects nutrient al' (= Z taiwaniana Carruth'), and other Dehgan, B' 1983' Propagation and uptake and utilization' species' Higher growth rate and growth of cycads - a conservation Our soil mix recommendations of the substantial increase in leaf number were strategy' Proc' Fla' State Hort' Soc' past (Dehgan, 1983; Dehgan and Almira, observed in 30-50% shade and weekly 96: 137-139' 1993) made a distinction between species application of liquid fertilizer at 200 to Dehgan, B' 1995' The Few, The Proud, of the mesic and xeric habitats' While 300 ppm' Shading greater than 50% the Cycads' Part I' Morphology and the basic principles upon which this results in abnormally long, spindly leaves'

The Cycad Newsletter Page 12 Genera' American Nurseryman 182 Ellstrand, N'C', R' Ornduff, and J'M' Steyn, E' M' A', D' J' F' Strydom, and A' (12): 74-87' Clegg' 1990' Genetic structure of Botha' Fertilization and rejection of Dehgan, B' 1996a' Permian Permanence, the Australian cycad, Macrozamia spermatozoids by egg cells in the Cycads' Part II' Pollination, communis (Zamiaceae)' Amer' J' Bot' artificially pollinated ovules of Propagation, and Cultural 77: 677-681' Encephalartos (Zamiaceae)' Sex' requirements' American Nurseryman Giddy, C' 1974' Cycads of South Africa' Plant Rep' 9: 175-185' 183 (1): 66-81' Purnell and Sons Ltd', Cape Town, Stevenson, D' W' 1990' Morphology and Dehgan, B' 1996b' Cycad Excitement' South Africa' systematics of the Cycadales' Mem' Interior Landscape 13: 24-27' Giddy, C' 1996' Cycad Specialist Group: New York Bot' Gard' 57: 8-55' Dehgan, B' and F' Almira' 1993' 6th CITES Plants Committee Meeting, Horticultural practices and Tenerife, Canary Islands, June 1995' conservation of cycads' In: The Species 26-27: 106-107' Want to Biology, Structure, and Systematics of Hubbuch, C' 1987' Cycads: Propagation ADVERTISE in the Cycad the Cycadales' Proc' Cycad 90, 2nd and container culture' Fairchild Trop' Newsletter? Inter' Conf' Cycad Biology' D' W' Gard' Bull' 42: 5-8' Here are our current rates: Stevenson and K' J' Norstog, eds' pp' Osborn, R' 1990' A conservation strategy 332-328' Palm & Cycad Soc' Australia for the South African cycads' So' Afr' Ltd' J' Sci' 86: 220-223' Full page $ 160 00 Dehgan, B' and F' C' Almira' 1995' Plant Schutzman, B' and B' Dehgan' 1993' 1/2 page 90 00 growth regulator induced branching Computer-assisted systematics in the 1/4 page 50 00 in cycads' Amer' J' Bot' 82 (Suppl'): Cycadales' In: The Biology, Structure, Business card 30 00 30' and Systematics of the Cycadales' Dehgan, B' J' E' Durando, and T' H' Proc' Cycad ‘90, 2nd Int’l' Conf' Cycad Contact: Yeager' 1994' Symptoms and Biology' D' W' Stevenson and K' J' Irvin McDaniel treatment of manganese deficiency Norstog, eds' pp' 281-289' Palm & 4034 Crest Heights in Cycas revoluta Thunb' HortSci' 29: Cycad Soc' Australia, Ltd' Fallbrook, CA 92028 645-648' Dehgan, B' and C' R' Johnson' 1983' Improved seed germination of Zamia floridana (sensu lato) with H SO and 2 4 Contributors to The Cycad Society GA ' Sci' Hort' 19: 357-361' 3 Dehgan, B' and C' R' Johnson' 1987' Root (January 2001 through January 2002) branching in Zamia floridana: Effect of growth regulators and anatomical Bird, Joseph Macdonald, Ray features' J' Amer' Soc' Hort' Sci' 112: Burnett, William Martin, Leo 1041-1044' Cortner, Mark Myburgh, J' S' Dehgan, B' and D' B' McConnell' 1984' Coulsell, Robert Nazor, Craig Cycads with potential as foliage Cycad Society Seed Bank Nelson, Leonard plants' Foliage Digest 7: 1-3' Delevoryas, Ted Phillips, Joseph Dehgan, B' and B' Schutzman' 1983' Eggart, Mary Lee Provost, Steven Effect of H SO and GA on seed 2 4 3 Ende, Eric & Karen Resh, Stephen germination of Zamia furfuracea' Engerman, Mark Roth, Henry Alan HortScience 18: 371-372' Dehgan, B' and B' Schutzman' 1989' Exotic Palms Ryan, Michael Embryo development and germination Faux, Randolph J' Sangsang, Tanomwong of Cycas seeds' J' Amer' Soc' Hort' Finn, Richard & Victor Schellenberg, Hans Sci' 114: 125-129' Freeland, W' A' Schott, Eberhardt Dehgan, B', B' Schutzman, and F' Almira' Fretzer, Eric Snyder, Glenda & Steven 1993' Utilization of scanning electron Harrison, Leonard Sparkman, George microscopy in the study of surface Hertz, Edward Sullivan, Patrick & Lisa features in Cycadales' In: The Biology, Hilt, Marcus & Molly Terry, Irene Structure, and Systematics of the Ho, William Tomiyama, Hajime Cycadales' Proc' Cycad 90, 2nd Inter' Hobbs, Horace Tufenkian, David Conf' Cycad Biology' D' W' Stevenson and D' J' Norstog, eds' pp' 228-235' Hoberecht, Hal & Reynotta Van Vuuren, Jan Palm & Cycad Soc' Australia Ltd Kenchington, Michael Alan Waters, Debra Dehgan, B' and C'K'K'H' Yuen' 1983' Levin, Maurice (A&A Cycads) Wiener, Donald Seed morphology in relation to Living Cycads Williams, Laura dispersal, evolution, and propagation Lok, John Wright, Mitchell & Carrie of Cycas L' Bot' Gaz' 144: 412-418'

The Cycad Newsletter Page 13 One for you, one for a friend! Please feel free to duplicate and pass along these membership applications!

The Cycad Society A nonprofit organization dedicated to education, research and conservation NEW Membership Application Membership in the Cycad Society includes subscription to Volume 25 (4 issues) of the Cycad Newsletter Send this completed form along with a check or money order (U!S! Currency only) payable to the Cycad Society to: Jody Haynes, Secretary 9525 Jamaica Drive Miami, FL 33189 USA You may also pay using a credit card and PayPal by accessing our website at http://www!cycad!org Membership is per calendar year!US$ 20!00 for US Members US$24 for Overseas Surface US$32 for Overseas Airmail

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The Cycad Society A nonprofit organization dedicated to education, research and conservation Membership RENEWAL Application Please renew your membership today so you won’t miss a single issue of the Cycad Newsletter! Send this completed form along with a check or money order (U!S! Currency only) payable to the Cycad Society to: Jody Haynes, Secretary 9525 Jamaica Drive Miami, FL 33189 USA You may also renew using a credit card and PayPal by accessing our website at http://www!cycad!org Membership is per calendar year! Your membership expires at the end of the year printed on your mailing label! US$ 20!00 for US Members US$24 for Overseas Surface US$32 for Overseas Airmail

Yes ____ No ____ I would like to be included in the membership directory printed in the Cycad Newsletter!

I enclose a check for $ ______for _____ year(s) membership (3 year maximum) beginning in 2002! I enclose a donation in support of the activities and goals of the Cycad Society in the amount of $ ______! Total enclosed: $ ______

Name: (please print clearly) ______

Professional Affiliation: ______

Mailing Address: ______

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The Cycad Newsletter Page 14 The Search for the Ultimate Cycad chemicals, this enzyme comes with of the way and help keep fungus from Seed Cleaning Procedure instructions on how to use it properly, growing on the seeds For all you (continued from pg 2) otherwise known as a Material Safety “palm people” out there, I have found Data Sheet (MSDS) I have found one that the enzyme will perfectly clean and I had perfectly cleaned seeds retail outlet for pectinase With the any of the fruity palm seeds like Arenga Having to manually scrape each seed growing popularity of home-brewed and Butia by just soaking them for a still took too long I found that if I beer there are stores that cater to this few days In the case of Arengas, the soaked the seeds in a bucket for three new hobby The enzyme is used in seedcoat is toxic and should not be days and then used the wire brushes for making home-brewed beer and can be handled, so this procedure is an easy a couple of minutes, the seed coats found in these specialty stores in some way to clean these seeds without would be damaged enough to let the of our larger cities handling them I am always testing enzyme work For those who don’t I now use this for most of my seed ways to make my job easier and have a drill, I found that after the cleaning needs Sometimes I purchase improve plant growth, but I think that three day period, if I put some gloves seeds that are not completely clean but in this case I may have the ultimate on and worked the seeds through my have found that soaking them for a seed cleaning procedure hands for ten minutes I would get the couple of days will clean them the rest same results The next question was still critical How would the use of the enzyme affect germination? I found that even Related Societies after soaking seeds for up to three weeks, I had no loss of germination I then soaked some seeds that had Cycad Society of South Africa recently germinated in the enzyme and after three days, the radicles weren’t The Cycad Society of South Africa is a nonprofit international organi- adversely affected I think the key is zation that is based in South Africa! It is devoted to education and that this is a very specific enzyme and the conservation of cycads! Its quarterly magazine, “Encephalartos”, does not work like an acid that could is sent to members by airmail and inter alia contains information on damage seeds the discovery of new cycad species! Please contact one of the After experimenting with this following correspondents: enzyme for years, I have found that the enzyme reacts best at 95oF If William Tang temperatures are lower than 80o, the Fairchild Tropical Garden enzyme doesn’t work as well, and 11935 Old Cutler Road below 70o, the seed cleaning procedure Miami, Florida 33156-2499, USA may take several weeks, which can rot some of the seeds or This product is not readily Paul Kennedy available to the average homeowner 21 Sierra Road but is used for people in the citrus and Engadine, NSW, 2233 fruit juice industry I have been wanting to package this product in Australia small quantities for cycad enthusiasts to use, but there are regulations in labeling where it can not be sold for purposes other than the specific tested Palm & Cycad Societies use of the product As with many of Australia, Ltd

lMemberships lBookstore lPublication Fund lSeed Bank

Address all correspondence and inquiries to: PACSOA PO Box 1134 Milton, Queensland, 6404 Australia

or e-mail membership@pacsoaorgau Completely cleaned seeds

The Cycad Newsletter Page 15 Zamia neurophyllidia

Zamia skinneri The Cycad Newsletter Page 16