This page loads
slowly due to many
high quality photos.
slowly due to many
high quality photos.
 |
Wizard Beach Cycad Endangerment Survey - 28JUL06 page 1
The photos on this page carry descriptions in each instance, are of the 28 July, 2006 Quick Survey of the Wizard Beach
Cycads status, of the Zamia sp.nov. The areas surveyed generally have included a good part of the initial Sept '04 Survey
we conducted with the Cycad group on my initial Expedition. I usually try to include some new territory on each visit, as
well as some of the more specific plants of '04. That the beach area has been progressively cleaned more reach visit,
I've been paying attention to some of the areas most affected. I made a point on this trip to collect a few specimens from
these cleaned areas, some of which show some remarkable "will to exist" in their survival techniques.
Cycads status, of the Zamia sp.nov. The areas surveyed generally have included a good part of the initial Sept '04 Survey
we conducted with the Cycad group on my initial Expedition. I usually try to include some new territory on each visit, as
well as some of the more specific plants of '04. That the beach area has been progressively cleaned more reach visit,
I've been paying attention to some of the areas most affected. I made a point on this trip to collect a few specimens from
these cleaned areas, some of which show some remarkable "will to exist" in their survival techniques.
The Wizard Beach Entry, just past the "bar" that haven't seen open since 9/04. The area clearly show the near complete
removal of all "small" stuff.
removal of all "small" stuff.
Heading to N, the 1st area found some sizeable Zamia sp.nov. were hugging the larger trees for security, it seemed.
Counted at least 6 plants around this tree, some in some precarious locales.
Counted at least 6 plants around this tree, some in some precarious locales.
Around to left of the above tree, this male cone was just emerging, amongst the tangles of everything there.
This small survivor was not in a very good locale, as some dead wood branches were above its home area now.
This recent Zamia sp.nov. survivor of a complete cut, has come up well albeit with its new caudex about 50% of the
original. It was about flush with ground, and not visible in this photo. New Flush is obvious and a good sign of health.
original. It was about flush with ground, and not visible in this photo. New Flush is obvious and a good sign of health.
My initial reaction was that someone must have done a lot of chopping. But, examining the plants (also sampled 2) found
they must have come from a cone in that area. Small, in-ground caudex plants (photo at end of 2nd page).
they must have come from a cone in that area. Small, in-ground caudex plants (photo at end of 2nd page).
These plants were all the product of previous plants being hacked to pieces, in some instances more than once! In this
area an further on, took the other samples, which show the previous damages. That photo is same one mentioned above.
area an further on, took the other samples, which show the previous damages. That photo is same one mentioned above.
Now on the SE sector, looking back to NW. This is a barren area from High Water line to about 30 mtr inland. Just a few
plants are scattered about, such as these two that somehow weren't chopped to pieces! That Sept '04 visit that had
myriads of these Zamia sp.nov. scattered all over, is sure a thing of the past here!
plants are scattered about, such as these two that somehow weren't chopped to pieces! That Sept '04 visit that had
myriads of these Zamia sp.nov. scattered all over, is sure a thing of the past here!
These 3 were all in Flush. Note, they were all at least second growth, easily seen in the right plant. The one behind is
obviously a felled plant some time previously, as it has made a 90 turn in its truck and must be, what, 10 years or more
growth from the felled trunk!? Too much, so characteristic of this beach area's plants!
obviously a felled plant some time previously, as it has made a 90 turn in its truck and must be, what, 10 years or more
growth from the felled trunk!? Too much, so characteristic of this beach area's plants!
Fortunately along the SW sector, inland about 30 mtr, there remains a shallow area, 20-30 mtr deep along the beach line,
that still has a significant number of these Zamia sp.nov. Interesting also, is that the majority seem to be secondary
growth plants, as opposed to seed produced.
that still has a significant number of these Zamia sp.nov. Interesting also, is that the majority seem to be secondary
growth plants, as opposed to seed produced.
This example in simply INCREDIBLE! The caudex has obviously been cut twice. The 2nd cut at a left, down-sloping angle
then started a new growth. That was then cut, at a right down sloping angle. From that cut on caudex, a new leaf is up.
But, even from the tip of the last cut, that head is also growing on left side where it fell and has 2 leaves! Survivability!
Par excelance!! This is so well represented in this area for this species Zamia sp.nov.
then started a new growth. That was then cut, at a right down sloping angle. From that cut on caudex, a new leaf is up.
But, even from the tip of the last cut, that head is also growing on left side where it fell and has 2 leaves! Survivability!
Par excelance!! This is so well represented in this area for this species Zamia sp.nov.
These 2 views of the same female plant that was simply and stupidly cut by a passer-by with a machete! The left view shows
the cone open, and had thought was similar to another that had been cut into. But, as the right photo shows, it was rather
deftly sliced in 2 halves with a sharp machete. It was just far enough off the path, that one would have had to make a direct
step towards the plant in order to effect that damage!
the cone open, and had thought was similar to another that had been cut into. But, as the right photo shows, it was rather
deftly sliced in 2 halves with a sharp machete. It was just far enough off the path, that one would have had to make a direct
step towards the plant in order to effect that damage!
This male was the only one we found that had mature, well now past mature cones. Moving the stuff out of the line of fire for
photo, bumped the cone, so placed it horizontal just to get it into photo.
photo, bumped the cone, so placed it horizontal just to get it into photo.
Male plant with now defunct cones. The caudex was a beautiful example of a
nearly free standing original plant - a rarity on the Wizzard Beach!
nearly free standing original plant - a rarity on the Wizzard Beach!
This larval stage of the Eumeus godarti eats the Zamia leaves and stems, which would ordinarily be deadly to most other species.
These caterpillar stage critters can deliver a serious burning sensation if brushed against, which I can personally attest to! The
adult stage was captured on our March 06 trip to Wizard Beach. She seemed to be searching for the "right" place to lay her eggs,
going up and down the leaves; but, after about 10 minutes of watching, she flew off in another direction. As we've seen these
critters on our various expeditions and locales, it seems to be the prevalent pest for the Panama Zamia in general. Have noted
these critters for Zamia - sp.nov., skinneri, hammani, psuedomonticola, neurophyllidia, obliqua, and probably also attack others.
These caterpillar stage critters can deliver a serious burning sensation if brushed against, which I can personally attest to! The
adult stage was captured on our March 06 trip to Wizard Beach. She seemed to be searching for the "right" place to lay her eggs,
going up and down the leaves; but, after about 10 minutes of watching, she flew off in another direction. As we've seen these
critters on our various expeditions and locales, it seems to be the prevalent pest for the Panama Zamia in general. Have noted
these critters for Zamia - sp.nov., skinneri, hammani, psuedomonticola, neurophyllidia, obliqua, and probably also attack others.
