Microcycas

Microcycas is a genus of cycads in the family Zamiaceae containing only one species, Microcycas calocoma, endemic to a small area in western Cuba in Pinar del Río Province.

The plant grows up to 10 m tall with an upright, sometimes branching trunk that grows to 30–60 cm in diameter. The leaves are dark green and 0.6-1.2 m long. One unique character is that the leaves appear to be truncated near the apex because the middle and distal leaflets have similar lengths. The petioles are 8–10 cm long and lack spines; the rachises also lack spines. leaflets are light to dark green, lanceolate, articulate at the base, and leathery with an entire margin. Middle leaflets are 15–25 cm long by 0.8–1 cm wide. Male cones are cylindrical, 25–30 cm long and 5–8 cm in diameter, yellow-brown, and hairy. Seed cones are broadly cylindrical, 50–90 cm long and 13–16 cm in diameter, yellow-brown, and hairy. The sporophylls have two round apical projections. The elliptical seeds are pink or red in color, 3.5–4 cm long and 2-2.5 cm in diameter.