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Zamia lacandona

Zamia lacandona

Status
Not Evaluated

IUCN conservation assessment category

Habitat
boreal evergreen forests, subarctic taiga belts, and montane zones

Primary ecological niche & biome

Diet
autotrophic carbon fixation via photosynthesis and mycorrhizal water uptake

Dietary type and primary food source

Activity
perennial evergreen growth with spring pollination

Diurnal, nocturnal, or active patterns

Scientific Summary

GBIF Taxonomic Backbone & Wikipedia Registry Profile

Zamia lacandona is a species of plant in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it occurs only in the state of Chiapas, near Palenque and Agua Azul. This plant grows 15 to 60 centimeters tall from an underground caudex. It usually produces a single leaf up to 100 centimeters long by 80 wide. The leaf has up to 12 pairs of leaflets. The species is named for its native rainforest habitat, the Lacandon Jungle, the Selva Lacandona. This species is threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture. It can sometimes regenerate in degraded habitat that has been burned and cleared, and can be seen growing in agricultural fields and on roadsides.
Biology & Conservation

Ecologically, the conservation status of Zamia lacandona is officially designated as Not Evaluated. Current field registries estimate a global population composed of an unquantified number of individuals, making habitat preservation critical to maintaining their wild populations.

It is typically endemic to boreal evergreen forests, subarctic taiga belts, and montane zones, showing great physiological synergy with its surroundings. In terms of dietary preferences, it relies primarily on a diet of autotrophic carbon fixation via photosynthesis and mycorrhizal water uptake. It exhibits specialized adaptations centered around a perennial evergreen growth with spring pollination activity pattern, optimizing its energy conservation and interactions within its native ecosystem. The species has a typical natural lifespan of approximately 350 years, allowing it to adapt and mature through structured generational cycles.

Ongoing biological monitoring and ecological advocacy emphasize the importance of protecting this species. The stability of its food chain and the prevention of fragmentation in its primary range are vital for the continued survival of Zamia lacandona.

Energy & Activity Profile
Habitat & Adaptation Index
Quick Facts
Native RangeGlobal
Habitat Rangeboreal evergreen forests, subarctic taiga belts, and montane zones
Lifespan350 Yrs
StatusData Deficient
ScientificZamia lacandona
Registry Info
Lifespan350 years
KingdomPlantae
FamilyZamiaceae