Login     Register (Free!)   

Click for Floridata Home



Welcome (homepage)

Member Pages
Register (free!)
Login

FloriDazL Image Sharing Service

Plant Encyclopedia
Plant List
Plant Tag Lists
Site Search

More Floridata
Resources/Articles
Write Us
About Floridata
Privacy Policy

Community
Forums
Directories
Members
Businesses
Organizations

Shop
Bookshop
Marketplace



A Floridata Plant Profile #514 Zamia furfuracea
Common Names: Cardboard palm
Family: Zamiaceae (coontie Family)

Plant1 from Floridata: click for Plant Profile Get link to this Profile or click for data record #514
Palm  Perennial  Drought Tolerant Easy to grow - great for beginners! Can be Grown in Containers Grows Well Indoors. Has evergreen foliage Has Unusual or Interesting Foliage

cardboard palm
It's spring and the center of these ancient clumps of cardboard palm erupts in light green with the annual flush of fresh green foliage.
Description
This is another of our "living fossil" plants, its kind surviving on earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Cardboard palm belongs to the Cycad family (cycad is greek for "palm" to which most cycads bear resemblance). Other cycads include the coontie palm and the sago palm (of course neither of these are palms but they really do look them!)

Cardboard palm has leaves 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m) long that emerge from a central point forming a rosette. When grown in bright sunlight the rosette becomes a 3 foot high clump of tightly overlapping leaves that will slowly grow to 6 ft (1.8 m) in diameter. The thick leathery leaves are pinnate and have 5 in (12.7 cm) long by 1 in (2.5 cm) wide oval leaflets. They are slightly fuzzy and feel a little like cardboard when rubbed.

cardboard palm
Because of its ruggedness, low maintence and drought tolerance, the cardboard palm is often used in commercial plantings.
The foliage emerges from a thick fleshy trunk that serves as a water reservoir in times of drought. Male and female reproductive structures (cones) form on separate plants. Even very young plants produce these interestingly shaped cones. When ripe, the female cone breaks to reveal an array of tightly packed, bright red 1 in (2.5 cm) seeds.

Location
Cardboard palm is native to the warm sandy coastal plains of Mexico and is a common landscape item in tropical and sub-tropical areas all over the world. It is also a popular and easy to grow houseplant.

Culture
Plant cardboard palm in neutral, well drained sandy soil. Mulch with organic materials (bark or leaf mold).
Light: Bright sun to partial shade.
Moisture: Water when dry. Drought tolerant.
Hardiness:USDA Zones 9 - 11. Sustains leaf damage at 28ºF (-2.2ºC)
Propagation: Propagate by seed.

cardboard palm
The cardboard palm is spectacular in containers and is even happy living out on seaside condo balconies.
Usage
Cardboard palm makes a great accent or specimen plant. Use near the patio, in mixed foundation plantings or in perennial beds. This cycad is salt resistant and can be used in beachside plantings. Also makes a great container plant for the patio or deck. It is a great houseplant tough enough to survive occasional neglect and harsh indoor environments.

Features
With its beautiful shape, exotic looking cones and instinct for survival, cardboard palm is one of my favorite plants. Large outdoor clumps are striking as the light olive green new growth emerges to hover above a base of darker mature leaves. Specimens can be grown indoors in shallow containers. Used this way, the partially exposed tuberous stem and the airy crown of leaves create a striking bonsai specimen.

WARNING
A Floridata visitor reports that his dog died after chewing Zamia seeds. Many plants contain compounds that can cause sickness and even death. Protect pets and instruct children to never eat or chew ANY plant material without permission.

Jack Scheper 08/07/98, updated 1/31/99, 2/17/04





logo - click for Floridata's homepage
Copyright 1996 - 2009
Floridata.com LC
Tallahassee, Florida USA





Briarpatch - Jack's video blog
Latest Entries:






 Recent Plant Profiles:



New!
Use Floridata's Local Guides to find businesses and learn of community events in your area.

Local Guides
 Local Guides
 Alabama
 Alaska
 Arizona
 Arkansas
 California
 Colorado
 Connecticut
 DC
 Delaware
 Florida
 Georgia
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Illinois
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
 Maine
 Maryland
 Massachusetts
 Michigan
 Minnesota
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
 Nebraska
 Nevada
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
 New York
 North Carolina
 North Dakota
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
 Pennsylvania
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Tennesee
 Texas
 Utah
 Vermont
 Virginia
 Washington
 West Virginia
 Wisconsin
 Wyoming