CYCADALES 67 



part of South America, and down the Andes into Chili (fig. 58) . Some 

 of the species are local, well marked, and easily recognizable, while 

 others range widely and are so variable that identifications are un- 

 certain. The smallest cycad known, Zamia pygmaea, grows in the 

 Microcycas region. The leaves of adult coning specimens are some- 



FiG. 58. — Zamia floridana: at Miami, Florida. The male cones on the left are 

 nearly ready to shed pollen; the female cone at the right is a year older. It has reached 

 its full size, but the seeds are not quite ripe. 



times only 4 or 5 cm. long. Associated with Z. pygmaea, but in soil 

 not quite so bad, is Z. kickxii. It is quite possible that Z. pygmaea 

 might become Z. kickxii under equally favorable conditions. The 

 largest species of Zamia are arborescent, and have leaves over a 

 meter in length. 



THE EASTERN CYCADS 



The remaining five genera are oriental. Two of them, Macroza- 

 mia and Bowenia, are confined to Australia, while a third genus, 

 Cycas, is abundant in AustraUa, but extends beyond through various 



