Toponymic Data Helps to Reveal the Occurrence of Previously Unknown Populations of Wild Zamia pumila L. on Volcanic Substrates in South Central Puerto Rico

Abstract

Antilles has been registered for Cuba (González-Géigel 2003). In Puerto Rico, three Zamia species have been recognized (Acevedo and Strong 2005; Axelrod 2011; Meerow et al. 2012). Zamia erosa Cook and Collins Zamiaceae is widely distributed across the northern limestone region, where its abundance ranges from rare to locally dominant. The other two species (Z. pumila and Z. portoricensis Urb Zamiaccae) are distributed along interrupted, metamorphosed limestone (marble), and serpentine areas of south-central and southwestern Puerto Rico. They are geographically separated from Z. erosa by the metamorphic volcanic rock of the Cordillera Central (Figure 1). During the last 8 years, archaeological findings in Puerto Rico (including Vieques island), Dominican Republic, Cuba, Saba, Trinidad and Aruba have consistently revealed the importance of Zamia for the pre-Columbian inhabitants of these islands