

How to identify Coontie (Zamia pumila)
Coontie, also known as Florida arrowroot, Seminole bread, Sago palm, Zamia
Coontie appears as a hardy, low-set woody perennial, reaching heights of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) with a tendency to form dense clusters over time. Its robust, subterranean stems give rise to arching compound leaves that exhibit a fern-like deployment as they emerge. The evergreen foliage is a distinctive aspect, providing year-round visual interest. Along with its resilient nature, coontie is noted for its capacity to withstand cooler climates compared to its tropical kin. Its physical characteristics present a blend of both ruggedness and delicate intricacy.
Distinct evergreen foliage provides year-round visual interest.
Male cones cylindrical, female cones elongate-ovoid, displaying a reddish hue.
Pinnately compound leaves with feathery appearance, each leaflet lined with toothed margins.
The leaves of coontie are large, stiff, and pinnately compound, ranging from 2 to 4 feet (60-120 cm) in length. Each leaf comprises 5-30 pairs of linear to lanceolate leaflets, each measuring 3-9 inches (7.5-23 cm) long and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide. Leaflets are lined with toothed margins, giving them a feathery appearance. The leaves are borne on smooth petioles 8-31 inches (20-80 cm) long with stipules at the base. Mature leaves are erect, reaching up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) and exhibit a feathery-like texture.
Coontie does not produce traditional flowers. Instead, it features distinct reproductive structures. Male cones are cylindrical, about 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) in length, and typically appear in clusters. Female cones are elongate-ovoid, measuring roughly 7 inches (18 cm) long, and display a reddish hue. These cones develop on separate plants, with males and females exhibiting this sexual dimorphism. Despite the lack of fragrant petals or floral structures, the cones are a striking and recognizable feature of coontie.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Coontie