Zamia stenophyllidia

The epithet stenophyllidia is derived from the Greek stenós ("narrow"), referring to the narrow width of the leaves. ==Phylogenetic history==

Zamia stenophyllidia was recognized as a distinct species during a review of wild populations and herbarium specimens attributed to Zamia paucijuga, a highly variable species found along about of the Pacific coast of Mexico, from Nayarit to Oaxaca. It has been accepted as a valid species by the World List of Cycads, Plants of the World Online (Kew Gardens), and the World Flora Online. ==Description==

The stem grows underground and is long and in diameter. Cataphylls (modified leaves that protect the base of the true leaves) are papery with stipules (small appendages) at the base, long, with a wide triangular base and a bristle or awn at the tip. The cataphylls are brown-yellowish and covered with hairs. There are two to three erect compound-leaves on the crown of the stem, long and wide. Leaves emerge greenish in color and covered with reddish-brown trichomes (hairs). The petiole (leaf stalk) is long, green in young leaves, with prickles up to long. The rachis (leaf shaft) is up to long with small prickles on the lower third. There 28 to 34 pairs of leaflets on a leaf. The papery leaflets are long and wide and attached directly to the stalk. The leaflets have a concave tapering to a symmetrical point, and taper down at the base. There is some fine notching on the upper margins of the leaflet. Like all cycads, Zamia stenophyllidia is dioecious, with individual plants being either male or female. There are usually two or three male strobili (cones) on a plant. They are cylindrical, tall and in diameter, and brown-yellowish. They sit on erect peduncles tall and in diameter. There is only one female strobilus on a plant. They are ovoid, tall, in diameter, yellowish in color, and covered in hairs. They sit on peduncles tall and in diameter, are yellowish in color and covered with hairs. The seeds are ovoid, long and in diameter. The sarcotesta (seed covering) is smooth, yellow when immature, turning red with maturity. ==Distribution and habitat==

Zamia stenophyllidia is endemic to Michoacán, Mexico, and has been found at two localities in Arteaga Municipality. The two known populations are located in the Balsas River basin, in oak forest on clay soils, and at an elevation of . The Köppen climate type is Awoi (tropical savanna with dry winters), with an annual average temperature of and rainfall of . Both populations have abundant plants and seedlings, and strobili (reproductive cones) and seeds are found on many plants, suggesting that the two populations are reproducing. ==References==