New cycad fronds + new species???

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Troppoz

New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by Troppoz »

Some of the cycads I got as seedlings are doing quite well now, and the hybrid ones are starting to show their split identity. Probably not the best example in these photos but Ill get some better shots of the largest hybrid tomorrow.

First one is Zamia skinnerii from the jungles of Central America. Ive had this one for about 5 years. Only ever produces 2 fronds per flush but each flush they get larger and more impressive. They are deeply ribbed and have an almost fake plastic texture. They start out deep coppery red then turn this nice apple green and finally deepen to a dark green as they mature. Some plants apparently have leaflets the size of canoe paddles :shock:

Second one is Cycas debaoensis from China, this ones about 10 months old. Its just starting to get into its stride and put out some nice divided fronds. They only produce a few fronds per flush too, but the entire frond can reach 2+m.

The final one is Cycas dianennensis x debaoensis, about 10 months old. The fronds look like they will take more after its mother dianennensis in only have the simple undivided leaflets but might have debaoensis habit of long upright fronds with a long petiole. We shall see...

I also have a hybrid of the same parentage that has inherited the divided leaflets of debaoensis but the short fronds of dianennensis. Dianennensis has dense crowns with lots of fronds while debaoensis like I said ony ever has one or two really long ones. If this plant has the long fronds with feathery leaflets, but in a thick dense crown it will be stunning. But Ill post a pic tomorrow like I said...
Attachments
Zamia skinnerii
Zamia skinnerii
zamia skinnerii
zamia skinnerii
Cycas debaoensis
Cycas debaoensis
Cycas debaoensis
Cycas debaoensis
Cycas dianennensis x debaoensis
Cycas dianennensis x debaoensis
Last edited by Troppoz on Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:36 am, edited 2 times in total.
kata

Re: New cycad fronds

Post by kata »

They are lovely healthy looking Sean,

You may or not like this from a newsgroup I joined last year.
ferox2.jpg
ferox2.jpg (117.52 KiB) Viewed 1068 times
:mrgreen:
Troppoz

Re: New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by Troppoz »

While trolling for my usual daily fix of plant porn I found out some information about my Zamia skinnerii, namely that it may in fact not be skinnerii but a newly described species Zamia imperialis!

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/ZamImp.shtml

My skinnerii has exactly the same coppery tone to the new growth, by the time I got around to photographing it it had lost its colour but every new frond has that same deep tone which is apparently what distinguishes imperialis from skinnerii, imperialis = red emergent leaves, skinnerii = green emergent leaves... So based on that Ive just discovered a new species in my garden! :lol:

I bought it from a woman years back who was a keen collectors of cycads (amongst everything else!) but apart from that I dont know anything about this plants history...

Learn something new everyday! icon_thumleft
Attachments
A picture from the web of Z. imperialis
A picture from the web of Z. imperialis
zamimp3.jpg (6.62 KiB) Viewed 1011 times
As above
As above
zamimp.jpg (8.98 KiB) Viewed 1011 times
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DiCasS
Posts: 3131
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:59 pm
Location: Hereford

Re: New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by DiCasS »

All beauties Sean :D

I'm attempting to grow the Skinneri here, I sowed five seeds last year, all five germinated icon_cheers but lost one :( I say attempting cos I know its not the ideal conditions here but I keep them in the conservatory where they're ticking along okay so far. It looks like they're at the stage where I might get another leaf this Spring. Gorgeous plant, one of my favourite cycads and as you say very similar to the imperialis except for the beautiful red leaf it throws out. Leaf looks exactly the same, even on my small ones the leaves are impressive.

Cycads are slooow, and not wishing to throw my life away, can't wait until they grow up a bit.

Deboaensis here has not so far split any further than the one in your photo, still waiting for the next flush, well I say flush, not had more than two leaves in one go, this one is coming up to six years old from when I first had it. It never flushed for me last year, but am hoping it will this year.

Those red leaves are gorgeous.

Will you be able to plant your Zamia out permanently?

Di
I'm at an age where my back goes out more than I do.
Supporter of the N.A.S.
call

Re: New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by call »

wow :shock:
theres nothing better than having a newly described species or a really rare plant :D
Troppoz

Re: New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by Troppoz »

DiCasS wrote:All beauties Sean :D

Will you be able to plant your Zamia out permanently?

Di
Thanks Di the zamia is in the ground, has been planted out for a few years now. Doesnt throw more than a couple of fronds at a time. My debs only throw one frond out per flush, hoping that some of the hybrids hold a full crown, still havent taken pictures of the others yet...slack :roll:

call wrote:wow :shock:
theres nothing better than having a newly described species or a really rare plant :D
Cheers Call! Was quite a kick to realise but the downside is that I now have to find a skinnerii :lol:
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JoelR
Posts: 990
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:38 pm
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: New cycad fronds + new species???

Post by JoelR »

That is a very nice looking cycad whatever it is Sean. Just this week my nearly 10 years from seed Cycas Panzi. has started pushing out 2 new leaves at the same time which it's never done before.

Encephalartos whitelockii, Uganda Giant Cycad might outgrow my conservatory in a few years but at least it's growing reasonably fast :lol:

Ceratozamia microstrobila is another one I've got but only 2 leaf stage.

Any experience of these??
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