Crown Jewel: Microcycas calocoma

Microcycas calocoma (Miq.) A. DC.
Family: Zamiaceae

Microcycas calocoma can reach a height of 10 meters and can be recognized by its hanging leaves. This is a very obvious characteristic in older plants. Since all of the leaflets are approximately the same length, it appears as if the top of the leaves have been chopped off. The name Microcycas means 'little Cycas' and is a bit misleading when one thinks of the trunk length. The reason for the deception is that there were just a few small leaves available when the plant was described in 1852.

The cycad genus Microcycas comprises just one species: Microcycas calocoma. There are approximately 600 plants still growing in the wild in a small mountainous area of western Cuba at an altitude of ca. 200 m. A species with so few specimens growing in a limited area runs a great risk of becoming extinct. A few botanical gardens and growers in Florida, therefore, have cultivated a good number of specimens of Microcycas calocoma and sent the seeds to other botanical gardens throughout the world. In this way, the risk of extinction is reduced. The Hortus also has a specimen that was cultivated in Florida.

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