A new arborescent species of Zamia from the Central Cordillera of Tolima, Colombia (Cycadales, Zamiaceae), with comments on the Z. poeppigiana species complex

Abstract

Zamia tolimensis, a large arborescent species from the Central Cordillera of Tolima, Colombia, is described and illustrated. It is compared to Z. lindenii and Z. poeppigiana, the two most similar species. From these it is distinguished by leaflets with fewer teeth, sparse prickles on its petioles, beige-yellow ovulate strobili with shorter peduncles, and more microsporangia aggregated into a single group on the abaxial surface of the microsporophyll. Brief descriptions of Z. lindenii and Z. poeppigiana are also provided, as well as a key to separate the three species.