Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Caladium zamiaefolium, Zamioculcas lanceolata, Zamioculcas loddigesii
Family: Araceae
Aroid Palm, ZZ Plant
Origin: Tanzania, Zanzibar
An ancient relic, along with Gonatopus, with a unique characteristic (for Aroids) in that the leaflet can fall to the ground, root and form bulblets. This feature is not known in aroids outside of the Zamioculcadeae. It has strong, shiny elliptical leaves which are like tall, green feathers growing out of the pot, which give it a distinctly quirky appearance. The stalks are fleshy. Tolerates low water, low light and a degree of neglect which make it a fine houseplant. Easy to look after, it prefers to be too dry rather than too wet, so water sparingly. A sign of overwatering is if the lower leaves turn yellow. Zamioculcas has been made available for cultivation to a wider public only some years ago (around 1996) by Dutch nurseries.
