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Coontie
Zamia pumila
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| The American beautyberry is a shrub, 6-9 feet in
height. Shoot growth occurs throughout much of the season. It is characterized by its
attractive foliage and clusters of flowers or fruit around the leaf nodes. |
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Leaves
Stiff, feathery fronds to 3 feet in length,
with a dozen or more narrow, opposite, shiny, dark green leaflets
Flowers
Since Coontie is a cycad, the flowers are in the form of cones. For the Coontie the
cones are brown. On male plants cones are slender, to 7 inches long; female plants-
shorter, squatter cones
Fruit
Female cones split open when ripe,
exposing poisonous fleshy, orange-red, 1-inch seeds.
Trunk
The trunk of a Coontie plant is a
tuber-like structure that is located underground.
Propagation
Propagation is by seed, but since the
plant grows so slowly, it is preferable to purchase small plants from a local garden
center.
Landscape usage
Coontie is the native plant seemingly best suited for small, contemporary homes. It
is a subtle accent plant that serves best as a foundational planting, transition plant, or
groundcover. An added benefit, is it is extremly low in maintenance requirements.
Interesting Facts
Coontie is a cold-tolerant cycad that
was used by the Seminole Indians for making bread once the poison was removed. Coontie is
also a primary food source for an endangered butterfly. |
Coontie
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Summary
Type: Groundcover
Salt Tolerant: High
Height: 3 ft
Spread: 3 ft
Growth Rate: Slow
Light: Full Sun- Part shade
Water: Low
Hardiness: High
Native: Yes
Wildlife: Yes
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For more detailed information on this
plant go to:
Volusia Extension |
