Zamia portoricensis

In visits to this population every year for the past seven years, neither seeds nor potential pollinating insects have been seen. Older pollen cones do not have the indicator weevil exit holes. Thus, it appears that the pollinator(s) may have been eradicated as a result of the aerial application of pesticides for local agriculture. Like many other species of Zamia, this one has been severely affected by habitat destruction. The landscape of southern Puerto Rico has been altered for many years by the establishment of pastures, quarries, crop fields, roads, urbanization, and landfill.

This species is listed in Appendix II of the CITES Appendices. Zamia portoricensis has become very rare in Puerto Rico in part due to development but also as a result over collection for nursery plants. Although found in protected parks and a National Forest, this has done little to protect the species from collecting and plants can be found in plant stores in New York City labelled as Z. pumila and Z. floridana. However, the species is easily raised from seed and young plants have begun to appear on the market and artificial propagation appears to be in place. Of more concern is the lack of seed set in one of the larger subpopulations. Many individuals in some areas grow on steep slopes that are not suitable for development and therefore they are expected to continue surviving undisturbed.