The Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) is a member of the Cycad family of plants that have a fossil record reaching back at least 280 million years. In spite of their long history of existence they were nearly exterminated in Florida during the early 20th century because the root (known as arrowroot) can be processed into a nutricious, mold resistent flour. Native Americans, long before the arrival of Europeans, had learned how to properly prepare the ground root by washing it in order to remove its toxic components.
Coonties have separate male and female plants. You can tell the difference by looking for the cones of mature plants. The male cone is much longer than wide, about the size and shape of a hotdog. The female cone, shown in the photo, is squat and fat and the fruit (seen in the next picture) has a bright orange skin. Fertilzation can be facilitated by the wind or insects visiting the cones. Two species of beetles have been found to live in the male cones. When the female plant is ready to be pollinated she emits a pheromone that attracts the male beetles who are covered with pollen.
The near erradication of the Coontie also drove a once common and beautiful butterfly, the Atala (Eumaeus atala) to near extinction. Although the butterfly is not particular where it gets nectar, the bright orange caterpillar will only eat the Coontie leaves. The poison in the plant, cycasin, deters predators from making a meal out of the caterpillars, pupae and butterflies.
It is a conservation success story that both the Coontie plant and the Atala populations are back on the rise. The CHEC Butterfly Garden is participating in the recovery of these species by promoting the growth of coontie plants and receiving Atala females to lay eggs on those plants in hopes that the species will reestablish here. Look for wild Coontie plants and maybe even Atalas along the trails as you hike.
