Ceratozamia Species - Rare Drought-Resistant Cycads from Mexico & Central America

The Ceratozamia genus of cycad plants includes 16 named cycad species (and numerous undescribed ones) native to Mexico, Guatemala & Belize. The name of the genus Ceratozamia combines the Greek word ceratos, meaning “horned,” with Zamia (a previously named cycad), and refers to the horned cone scales on mature specimens of these rare plants. Ceratozamia was named by 19th Century French botanist and palaeobiologist Adolphe Theodore Brongniart in 1846.

The rare plant species in the genus Ceratozamia tend to be less “formal” looking than other cycad plants, with shiny, usually dark green leaves that spread outward from the plant in a graceful, arching manner. Currently these plants are available for sale in the USA only.