A New Endemic Zamia from Honduras (Cycadales: Zamiaceae) Bart Schutzman1, Russell Adams2, Jody L. Haynes3, Loran M. Whitelock4 ABSTRACT sponsored an expedition to Honduras serrulate in the distal half, with raised Zamia bussellii, an arborescent and highly to study these new taxa. Co-sponsored longitudinal ridge and acuminate apex; localized Honduran endemic cycad most and organized by Mark Bonta and author mean length:width ratio of median leaf- similar to Z. tuerckheimii DONN SM. (incl. Haynes, this expedition yielded sub- lets 7.0; eophyll with [1-]2-3[-4] leafl et Z. monticola CHAMB.) from Guatemala, is stantial morphometric data, specimens, pairs, leafl ets similar in shape, color, and described. We consider Zamia bussellii seeds, and photos (Haynes & Bonta, 2003) orientation to those of mature leaves. one of a group of arborescent Zamia spe- of the new species. Even though plants of Microsporangiate strobilus 27.5 cm long, cies including Z. elegantissima SCHUTZMAN, this new species had been collected some 3.8 cm diam., light brown to tan, puberu- R.S. ADAMS & VOVIDES from central Panama, ten years earlier, it existed only in a few lent, occurring singly or in groups of three Z. fairchildiana L.D.GÓMEZ (incl. Z. collections in the US, and was mistakenly or more, cylindrical, erect to slightly pseudomonticola L.D. GOMEZ) from south- referred to as the “giant fi scheri” due to leaning; peduncle 8.5 cm long, 1.6 cm western Costa Rica and adjacent Panama somewhat papyraceous leafl ets. Addition- diam., greenish-brown to tan, puberulent, and Z. tuerckheimii from Guatemala. ally, even though photographs were pub- erect; microsporophylls 6 mm long, 4 Zamia bussellii is geographically closest to lished on the website of the Palm and Cy- mm wide, hexagonal to oblong-hexagonal; Z. tuerckheimii but morphologically most cad Societies of Australia by Kyburz (n.d.), microsporangia on proximal microsporo- similar to Z fairchildiana. others suggested that these distinctive phyll surface. Megasporangiate strobilus plants represent a disjunct population 22.4-25.2 cm long, 10-11.2 cm diam., Key words: Zamia, Honduras, Meso- of Z. tuerckheimii (e.g., Jones, 1993). solitary, cylindrical to barrel-shaped, america, cycad, arborescent As is commonplace with little-known and emerging light brown and tomentose, undescribed taxa, common names and later losing tomentum and maturing dark INTRODUCTION misconceptions refl ect the lack of study green to grayish-green, erect at maturity Prior to 2006, only two endemic cycad of a species until its formal description with large conical sterile apex; peduncle species had been described from Hondu- has been published and knowledge of it 4-4.5 cm long, 2.4-4.5 cm diam., tan, ras: Dioon mejiae STANDL. & L.O. WILLIAMS widespread. tomentulose; megasporophylls 4.5-5 cm and Zamia standleyi SCHUTZMAN. Uncon- The aforementioned expeditions by long, 4.3-4.6 cm wide, oblong hexagonal, fi rmed anecdotes (sensu Whitelock, 2002) the authors and their associates yielded spirally arranged; seeds 200 or more per also claimed that the distribution of the enough data to enable this formal de- strobilus, elongate ovoid, with red sar- Salvadoran Z. herrerae CALDERÓN & STANDL. scription. Specifi c locality data has been cotesta at maturity. extended into Honduras (Jones, 1993; omitted to aid in the conservation of this Norstog & Nicholls, 1997; Pant, 2002). This narrow endemic cycad. Type. Honduras. Dep’to. Cortés. Holo- third species has since been described as Z. type: R. Alonzo & A. Whittington June oreillyi C. NELSON. DESCRIPTION 2003, Whittington 200301 (FLAS). Para- In January 1994, plant enthusiast Zamia bussellii SCHUTZMAN, R.S. ADAMS, types: 30 July 2003, J. Haynes, M. Bonta, Robert Alonzo visited a Honduran nursery J.L. HAYNES, & WHITELOCK. sp. nov. G. Sandoval, C. O’Reilly, I. Zúñiga & J. to identify Codiaeum species and culti- (Figs. 1-19). Mendoza JLH03-044A, JLH03-044B, JLH03- vars. He noticed a unique, beautiful cycad 045 (TEFH). growing in the nursery, which he photo- Haec species Zamia fairchildiana et Z. graphed and brought to the attention of tuerckheimii affi nis sed foliis emergentibus Etymology. This species is named for authors Adams and Schutzman (Fig.1). tomentibus niveus. A Z. tuerckheimii denti- Larry Bussell, a well known plantsman Alonzo returned to Honduras with asso- bus foliolorum usque ad medium et folioliis whose endeavors have led to a greater un- ciate Allen Whittington July 13-18th of the longe acuminates differt, et a Z. fairchildi- derstanding of Mesoamerican cycads, and same year to observe plants in habitat. ana paginis distalis microsporophyllorum enhanced many public as well as private Photographs and herbarium specimens sine microsporangiis distinguenda. collections throughout the world. were collected and brought to Adams and Schutzman. Mr. Alonzo asked that this Plant an arborescent shrub. Stem to 2 m Distribution and habitat. This highly new Zamia species be named in honor of tall, 5.1-15.9 cm diam., solitary; pale, localized endemic appears restricted to Larry Bussell, a well-known plant explorer glossy, yellowish-brown in color, lack- only two steep hillsides in Departmento in Mexico and Central America during the ing persistent leaf bases but covered Cortés in northwestern Honduras. Further 1970s and 80s. In 1995, they revisited the in numerous small bumps and creases. fi eldwork is necessary whether its dis- population and joined Loran Whitelock Leaves arching to spreading, 67-151 cm tribution range extends into neighboring to observe two other cycads, another long, to 44 per crown; rachis 41.5-122 cm Guatemala. Plants grow as understory unknown Zamia (since described as Z. long, terete, armed with small prickles plants in heavy shade in tropical decidu- sandovalii C. NELSON), and Ceratozamia in lower half to two-thirds; 13-31 leafl et ous forest from 700-1,300 meters above hondurensis HAYNES et al. (2008 - this issue pairs, opposite to subopposite, evenly sea level (masl). The soil is dark brown, pp.10-15). spaced, non-overlapping; basally keeled, highly organic, and covered in thick leaf In 2003, Montgomery Botanical Center medially and apically fl at to slightly dec- litter. Associated species include large 1Environmental Horticulture Dept., Univ. of Florida, linate; petiole 17.5-40.5 cm long, 0.5-1.3 tropical trees (Quercus and Liquidambar 1531 Fifi eld Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, bart@ufl .edu cm diam., terete, lightly to moderately spp.), Anthurium and other aroids, and 2Gainesville Tree Farm, 15321 N SR 121, Gainesville, FL armed; mean petiole-to-rachis ratio = palms such as Chamaedorea and Geonoma 32653, [email protected] 0.4; leaf base 2-3.3 cm wide, light brown, spp. 3 IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, glabrous; leafl ets 15.5-36 cm long, 3-4.4 P.O. Box 971063, Miami, FL 33197-1063, [email protected] cm wide (median), ovate-lanceolate to Population structure. Plants occur in all 4Cycad Gardens, 4524 Toland Way, oblong-lanceolate, glossy medium green, sizes throughout both known populations. Los Angeles, CA 90041, [email protected] papyraceous, undulating, margins evenly The two populations, totaling approxi- The Cycad Newsletter 31(2/3) June/September 2008 Page 22 mately 10,000 plants, are approximately cones in a given year is an indication that mer months (May-June and July-August) equal in number of plants and land area, the two known populations are actively and a dry season in the winter months and collectively occupy roughly 7.5 ha, and successfully reproducing. (Haynes & Bonta, 2003). (density approx. 1,350 plants∙ha-1). Obser- vations of numerous seedlings together Climate. The climate is tropical, with a Taxonomic relationships. Though with the fact that many plants possess distinct bimodal rainy season in the sum- reproductive features are also useful, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fig. 1. Original plant of Zamia bussellii fi rst observed in Honduran nursery (Photo: Robert Alonzo). Fig. 2. Guide Rigoberto (“Rigo”) standing among large arborescent plants of Zamia bussellii in habitat. Fig. 3. Habit of Zamia bussellii. Fig. 4. Closeup of Zamia bussellii trunk illustrating typical texture and coloration. Fig. 5. Leaf of Zamia bussellii with microstrobilus. Fig. 6. Newly emerging leaf fl ush of Zamia bussellii showing dense white covering of trichomes. Fig. 7. Closeup of Zamia bussellii leaves showing three stages in trichome coloration; white immature trichomes at left, reddish-brown immature stage, and black mature stage. Fig. 8. Comparison of leafl ets of related arborescent species, from top to bottom: Zamia bussellii, Z. elegantissima, Z. fairchildiana, Z. tuerckheimii. The Cycad Newsletter 31(2/3) June/September 2008 Page 23 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Fig. 9. Zamia bussellii plant in habitat with emerging immature megastrobilus. Fig. 10. Zamia bussellii plant in habitat with mature megastrobilus. Fig. 11. Megastrobi- lus of cultivated Zamia bussellii plant. Fig. 12. Zamia bussellii plant in habitat with several microstrobili. Fig. 13. Microstrobilus of cultivated Zamia bussellii plant. Fig. 14. Transverse section through Zamia bussellii microstrobilus showing arrangement of microsporophylls. Fig. 15. Adaxial view of Zamia bussellii microsporophyll. Fig.16. Abaxial view of Zamia bussellii microsporophyll. Fig. 17. Putative pollinator of Zamia bussellii (photo by M. Thomas, Florida State Collection of Arthropods). The Cycad Newsletter 31(2/3) June/September 2008 Page 24 Zamia bussellii can be distinguished solely other three species more coriaceous, Z. though other Zamia species in Honduras by vegetative features from the three elegantissima possessing the thickest leaf- are called ‘camotillo’ (little sweet potato) related Central American arborescent spe- lets. Emergent leaves of Z. bussellii are or ‘yuca de ratón’ (cassava of the mouse) cies Z. elegantissima, Z. fairchildiana and green and covered with trichomes which and are known to be extremely poisonous Z. tuerckheimii. Its emerging leaf fl ush is begin white, maturing through reddish- (Bonta, 2007).