A: Coontie plants, Zamia floridana, are native to Florida and you need not worry about the plant leaching any toxin in the soil. These plants belong to the cycad family, similar to sago palms. Coonties were once used by native Indians (Seminoles) as a source of starch. The roots were harvested and used for food. I am told the root taste “just like chicken!” No actually, I was told it tastes like celery. Another common name for coonties is “Seminole Bread.”

Coonties tolerate any type of soil, are very drought tolerant and mildly salt tolerant. Although they can be grown in full sun they seem to prefer some shade. If grown in the shade they produce beautiful, dark green feathery foliage. At maturity they can reach heights of four feet with six foot spreads although their growth is generally slow to moderate.

Coonties are diecious – they have “male” and “female” plants, therefore both plants are required for pollination. The fruiting structures look very similar to small ears of corn on a stick, which can vary from dark brown to red-orange in color. These plants have very few disease or insect problems although scale can be an issue if left untreated. Because it has so few problems, it should be considered more often as a choice for North Florida landscapes. Attached is the most recent publication by Dr. Ed Gilman from the University of Florida/IFAS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FP617

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