Zamia cycads. Pine cone cycad (Zamia spp)

Family: Cycadaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Zamia spp is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich source of starch. — A number of species are edible.; For example: Zamia loddigesii - An edible starch can be obtained from the stems.; This can be ground into a powder and used in making bread etc.; It needs to be thoroughly cooked in order to destroy a poisonous principle.

Habitat & North American Range

A range of habitats, with some growing as understory plants in moist tropical rainforests and others from more open habitats with unreliable rainfall, considerably more sun, and less humidity, but most are best suited to tropical and subtropical regions that are free from frost. (Zone 10)