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Wizard Beach Cycad Endangerment Survey - 28JUL06 page 2
The photos on this page carry descriptions in each instance, are of the 28 July, 2006 Quick Survey of the Wizard Beach
Cycads status, 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 plant being attacked has a new flush and the Eumeus godarti larva had already eaten 2 o2 the 3 new leaves.
An amazing mutual collection of plant life spanning 100's of Millions of years! Synergistic cooperation?
A remarkable specimen in a secondary growth plant, in an area that had not visited previously. The size of this cone
was remarkable! The data sheet sent out with the e-mail with the URL for this page described the details of this most
remarkable specimen. It was situated on private property, well beyond normal viewing from the beach. The 16-20
leaflets per the 20 leaves is another clear distinction from Z. neurophyllidia for this newly designated Zamia sp.nov.
This larger than normal female cone, 39 cm or 15 in, was quite a
nice surprise on a plant with a great number of leaves/leaflets. This
cone also seems to be a clear standout from Z. neurophyllidia.
xx
This close up shows both the ID tag [W06-01], as well as a new cone
is just beginning its emergence, between the mature cone and the
tag on a leaf Rachis. Obviously this plant would seem to produce a
cone every two years. Just above the "as" in the first line and to
left of the "xx" on the right side of photo, the past cut caudex line
is just visible. The upper caudex section is 3 cm less in diam than
the older lower section. The upper section is nearly double the
lower above ground portion. One can only surmise how tall the
original plan must have been. Perhaps 2 or more meters?
This damaged cone is the one along the inner trail just past the stream, that Jody & Gregg cropped the cone in Sept
'04. First took photo of this one on the Sept '05 expedition, and the damage seems to have stopped the further growth
of the cone, but perhaps not the maturing of the existing seeds. On my next trip there, probably in 2-3 months, will
check the status of this cone, as well as the one cut in half in a 1st page photo. Will be interesting to see if the seeds
within the undamaged cone portion will mature in both these cones.
There were many examples of new male cones just starting to emerge. That there was just one that had matured, might
indicate a simple variation of single plant, vice a norm of several times a year? That we didn't see any males on our
March trip, and just a lone survivor at the end of its time in July, doesn't speak well for a possibly common occurrence
of males in the off-season (Aug-Oct). Obviously, should make a trip in the Feb-Mar period to seek any possible males.
These two plants, bearing a Sept 05 tag, are interesting, in that both their caudex tips are angling more than straight
up. Wondering if that might be due to more sunlight coming from the right side as viewed. They must well over 100
years old, as even the shorter one is taller than I.
This Z. nesophila is about 9 feet tall, as couldn't reach it on my toes
even! Sadly it was somewhat obscured in the next tree, but also my bad
eyes didn't detect in the camera window that had not gotten the top!
Will go back to this one next trip and get a full photo, and attempt to
measure the caudex.
This emerging male cone is one of the 7-headed plant. All had at least 1 cone visibly protruding, and a couple had two
cones visible - all small, of course. The full plant is shown next, our most remarkable example of Zamia sp.nov.
The 22-05 Zamia sp.nov. cone was well past horizontal on its way down. It was also a bit larger than expected, although
still well below the W06-01 specimen. The lower cone is a Z. hammani that got in June on that quick surveying trip.
The 4 across the top and one on right side are all secondary Zamia sp.nov., having been cut or damaged previously.
The other 4 are uniquely original, the 2 smaller ones from that patch of presumed scattered seeds. Other 2 smaller
ones were from the SE sector of the beach area. They seemed to have had some sort of external impact in their short
life? The larger on lower right corner, is now a double-headed plant.
7-headed male plant, with cumulative near 1,000 years of growth was our '04 surprise find. May this fellow continue for
as long as already survived!
