"Some researchers believe that C. microstrobila falls within the range of variation of C. latifolia and is hence best regarded as a synonym of that species. Particularly interesting were the observations made on cultivated plants which suggested that those grown in a deep shade and high moisture regime develop like C. latifolia whereas those in bright light and drier conditions develop like C. microstrobila. It seems apparent that the relationships between these two species require further study" (Jones 1993).
"A small cycad with a subterranean ovoid to nearly cylindrical trunk to about 24 cm long and 10 cm across. Young leaves bright green. Mature leaves 2-4 on each plant, 50-70 cm long, erect to arching, dark green, shiny, glabrous; petiole 10-25 cm long, lacking prickles, with long hairs at the base; leaflets twenty to thirty on each leaf, 15-18 cm × 2.8-3.2 cm, lanceolate, leathery, dark green and shiny above, paler beneath, margins entire, partly recurved, apex acute. Male cones 15-17 cm × 2-2.3 cm, ovoid to barrel-shaped, brown, shortly hairy; sporophylls 0.5-0.7 cm × 0.4-0.5 cm, with two horns 1-2 mm long; peduncle 4-5 cm long, hairy, lacking prickles. Female cones 5-6 cm × 4-4.4 cm, barrel-shaped, greenish brown, usually solitary; sporophylls 1.2-1.3 cm × 1.7-2.1 cm, peltate, shortly hairy on the edges, with two horns 1-2 mm long; peduncle 4-6 cm long, shortly hairy, lacking prickles. Seeds 1.8-1.9 cm × 1.2-1.4 cm, ovoid, smooth" (Jones 1993).
Mexico: San Luis Potosí, "where known only from the mountain Ejido las Abritas growing at about 850 m altitude. Plants are found in a transition zone between low deciduous forest and mixed oak woodland, and occur in humus-rich, shallow reddish clay soil on limestone outcrops" (Jones 1993).
Grown as an ornamental (Jones 1993).
The epithet microstrobila means "with small cones."
Last Modified 2012-11-23