A NEW ARBORESCENT SPECIES OF ZAMIA (CYCADALES, ZAMIACEAE) FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUILA, EASTERN CORDILLERA OF COLOMBIA

Zamia huilensis Calonje, Esquivel, & D.W. Stev., a new arborescent species from the

Eastern Cordillera of Colombia (Department of Huila), is described and illustrated. It

is compared to Z. muricata Willd., which has similar leaflet shape, and to Z. tolimensis

Calonje, Esquivel & D.W. Stev., with which it shares some reproductive characters.

It differs from Z. muricata in having an arborescent trunk, beige-yellow to beige

ovulate strobili supported by short peduncles, and microsporangia aggregated into

a single group on abaxial side of microsporophyll; it differs from Z. muricata in the

subterranean trunk, dark brown to black ovulate strobili supported by long peduncles,

and microsporangia separated into two groups on abaxial side of microsporophylls.

It differs from Z. tolimensis in having an overall smaller size, leaflets that are not

strongly falcate and with margins toothed below the distal half, compared to Z. tolimensis

which is a much larger plant, and has strongly falcate leaflets that are not

toothed below the distal half.