Zamia inermis Plants
Extremely Rare, Cold-Tolerant Beauty

Zamia inermis is an extremely rare, relatively cold-tolerant Zamia with attractive palm-like leaves, narrow leaflets and a graceful growth habit. Its name, inermis is Latin for “unarmed”, and derives from the absence of prickles its leaves and stems. Zamia inermis features smooth lime green leaflets and seeds that are brown at maturity unlike red or orange seeds of other Zamias. Its attractive numerous stiff, spineless and erect leaves form an attractive spiraling funnel pattern.

Native to central Veracruz, Mexico, Zamia inermis grows in a single population severely threatened by fire, over collection, and apparently eradication of its pollinator. Currently, there are as few as 300 remaining Zamia inermis plants in a habitat less than 2 square miles. Zamia inermis is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, so that today, Zamia inermis is preserved primarily in botanical and private gardens.