Description :

• Rhizomatous herb, with parts above ground deciduous; roots long, fleshy, swollen
• Stem reduced to a stout tuber, subcylindric
• Leaves 1-several, pinnately compound, subtended by several basal cataphylls; petiole stout, with basal part swollen and subpersistent, geniculate at apex; pinnae oblong, alternate, deciduous, giving rise to new plants by formation of bulbils at base under suitable conditions
• Inflorescence 1 or 2, appearing with leaves, borne at leaf base near ground level
• Spathe borne on short peduncle, convolute at base forming a short tube, limb expanded or spreading, reflexed at anthesis, persistent
• Spadix subequal to spathe; female flowers borne on lower third, male flowers on upper two thirds, separated by a constricted zone bearing sterile flowers
• Flowers with 4 free, decussate, clavate perianth segments
• Male flowers with 4 stamens; filaments short, free; anthers opening by lateral slits; pollen filiform; pistil central, rudimentary, clavate
• Female flowers with ovoid pistil, without staminodes; ovary 2-locular, subglobose; locules uniovulate; style short; stigma capitate
• Fruit a berry, globose, white, 1- or 2-seeded
• Seeds ellipsoid, brown
• x = 17

Nomenclature:

• Zamioculcas Schott
  • Schott: 71 (1856)
  • Engler: 304 (1905)
  • Mayo: 15 (1985)
  • Mayo et al.: 146 (1997)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa : Species 1: Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.) Engl., endemic to eastern and southeastern tropical Africa, extending into N KwaZulu-Natal