Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in the countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Moving toward the southern regions, the species also inhabits parts of South Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in Malawi and Mozambique. Finally, its geographical range extends into the territory of Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is characterized by its occurrence in diverse environments ranging from humid and dry evergreen forests to brachystegia woodlands, dry wooded grasslands, bushland, and thickets, where it is often found growing on rocks. This species thrives within a relatively narrow altitudinal band, specifically occupying an elevational range between 8 m and 15 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

15 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

8 m AMSL

Habitat :

humid and dry evergreen forest, brachystegia woodland, dry wooded grassland, bushland, thicket, often on rocks

Life history

The life history of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues its life cycle over many years rather than completing it within a single growing season. In terms of its morphological growth strategy, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface or just below it, protected by the substrate or leaf litter. This growth habit allows the plant to persist through varying environmental conditions by utilizing its underground storage organs to support the emergence of new foliage.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial plant, it is neither aquatic nor epiphytic, maintaining an independent existence without parasitism. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, typically reaching a mean height of 0.5 m, though individual specimens may vary in stature with a minimum height of 0.34 m and a maximum height of 0.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.75 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.34 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zamioculcas zamiifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Zamioculcas zamiifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves and petioles.

Leaves and petioles

1. Fitoterapia