Smallest Gymnosperm - Zamia pygmaea | Testbook.com

Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
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In the vast diversity of the plant kingdom, the title for the smallest gymnosperm is held by the remarkable Zamia pygmaea . This petite plant, which barely reaches a height of 10 inches, is native exclusively to Cuba and is locally referred to as “guayaro” or “guayra”.

Profiling the Peculiar Zamia pygmaea

The Zamia pygmaea, despite its small stature, stands out in the plant world. Usually, it grows to a height of around 25 cm. This species is part of the family Zamiaceae and belongs to the class Cycadopsida .

The plant features a short trunk topped with a crown of firm, short leaves with rounded leaflets. The hypogeal stem of the plant also bears small sheathing cataphylls. The compound leaves of this plant vary from 1-4 in its native habitat but can reach up to 20 leaves in cultivated specimens. The seeds of Zamia pygmaea are egg-shaped and exhibit a vibrant red to orange hue.

Sadly, the IUCN Red List has classified this unique species as Critically Endangered. Today, less than 250 mature Zamia pygmaea plants survive in Western Cuba. This alarming decline is primarily due to excessive harvesting from the wild, agricultural expansion, and deforestation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The smallest gymnosperm in the world is Zamia pygmaea.

Zamia pygmaea is found exclusively in Cuba.

The IUCN Red List classified Zamia pygmaea as Critically Endangered with less than 250 mature plants existing in Western Cuba.

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