People at MBC

    Michael Calonje
    Cycad Biologist

    Montgomery Botanical Center
    11901 Old Cutler Road
    Miami, FL 33156 USA

    305-667-3800 ext. 112
    michaelc@montgomerybotanical.org

Summary

Michael Calonje is the Cycad Biologist at Montgomery Botanical Center. His primary roles are the continued development of the cycad collection, assisting visiting researchers utilizing the cycad collection, and organizing international research and collecting expeditions.

In addition to his experience in field botany and plant collecting, Michael has worked with various botanic gardens internationally, in management, collections, horticulture, and plant records.

Michael’s research interests include cycad taxonomy and systematics with an emphasis in New World genera, particularly Zamia; as well as G.I.S. and biogeography, cycad propagation and horticulture, and ex situ conservation.

Education

Master of Science in Environmental Systems
Humboldt State University (2005).

Bachelor of Arts in Cinema
San Francisco State University (2000).

Recent research papers

Calonje, M., H. E. Esquivel, D. Stevenson, C. Calonje and D. Pava. 2011.A new arborescent species of Zamia from the Central Cordillera of Tolima, Colombia (Cycadales, Zamiaceae), with comments on the Z. poeppigiana species complex. Brittonia 63: 442-451.

Kay, J., A Strader, V. Murphy, L. Nghiem-Phu, M. Calonje, and M. P. Griffith 2011. Palma Corcho: A Case Study in Botanic Garden Conservation Horticulture and Economics. HortTechnology 21(4).474-481

Calonje, M., A. W. Meerow, and D. W. Stevenson. 2010. The typification of Zamia erosa and the priority of that name over Z. amblyphyllidia. Taxon 59:637-642.

Calonje, M., D. Stevenson, C. Calonje, Y. A. Ramos, and A. Lindstrom. 2010. A new species of Zamia from Chocó, Colombia (Cycadales, Zamiaceae). Brittonia 62: 80-85.

Calonje, C, C. Husby, and M. Calonje. 2010. Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Rare Zamia spp. in Organic and Inorganic Substrates: Advancing Ex Situ Conservation Horticulture. HortScience 45:679-683.

Calonje M. 2009. A new cliff-dwelling species of Zamia (Zamiaceae) from Belize. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 3(1): 23-29.

Calonje M., J. Meerman, P. Griffith, and G. Hoese. 2009. A new species of Zamia (Zamiaceae) from the Maya Mountains of Belize. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 3(1): 31-41.

Calonje M., and J. Meerman. 2009. What is Zamia prasina (Zamiaceae, cycadales)? Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 3(1): 43-49.

Griffith, M. P., L. R. Noblick, J. L. Dowe, C. E. Husby, and M. A. Calonje. 2008. Cyclone tolerance in New World Arecaceae: biogeographic variation and abiotic natural selection. Annals of Botany 102:591-598.

Calonje  A, and M. Calonje.  2004. The Zamias and Chiguas of Colombia. Pp. 131-140 in: J.A. Lindstrom (ed.), 2004. Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Cycad Biology (Cycad 2002). Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Pattaya, Thailand.

Field guides

Calonje M. (ed.) 2007. Common Plants of the Upper Klamath Basin. Rabe Consulting, Koko Graphics, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Calonje M., A. Rabe, and C.Calonje. 2005. Noxious Weeds of Klamath County: Field Identification Handbook. Koko Graphics, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Calonje, C., M. Calonje, and A. Rabe. 2006. Forest Trails of Klamath County. Koko Graphics, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Multimedia

Calonje, M., and Calonje A. Cycads of Colombia CD-ROM. 2003.

Recent articles

Calonje, M. 2011. Phenology of Cycas revoluta in South Florida. The Cycad Newsletter 34(2-3):42.

Calonje, M., L. Knowles, D. Knowles, A. Meerow, C. Calonje, R. Adams, L. Johnson, S. Gilmer, P. Griffith, and J. Francisco-Ortega. 2011. Following the steps of Donovan and Helen Correll: Exploring for cycads in The Bahama Archipelago. The Tropical Garden 66(4): 33-39.

Calonje C. and M. Calonje. 2010. Cold winter precedes mast coning year for female Cycas panzhihuaensis plants at Montgomery Botanical Center. Encephalartos 102: 7-10.

Griffith, P., and M. Calonje. 2010. The Sinkhole Cycad of Belize: Conservation Horticulture and a New Discovery. 2009 AZH Conference Proceedings: 26-28.

Griffith, M. P., C. E. Husby, and M. Calonje. 2010. Cycad collections development in the modern context: Challenges, opportunities, investments and outcomes. Proc. of the 4th Global Botanic Gardens Congress.

Calonje, M., C. Husby, and P. Griffith. 2009. The Cycad Collection at Montgomery Botanical Center. Public Garden 24: 25-27.

Tang, W., T. Gregory, I. Terry, and M. Calonje. 2008. TCS sponsors cycad expedition to China. The Cycad Newsletter 31(4): 4-9.

Calonje M. 2007. History, growth rate, and phenology of Microcycas calocoma in South Florida. The Cycad Newsletter 30(4): 20-21.

Calonje, M. 2007. Growth and Phenology of Zamia inermis at Montgomery Botanical Center. Encephalartos 91: 21-22.

Calonje, M. 2007. Phenology of Dioon Merolae. The Cycad Newsletter 30(1): 11.

Calonje, M. 2007. A Brief Visit to the Ceroxylons of Cocora Valley, Colombia. The Palmateer 27(2): 11-14.

Calonje, M., and A. Calonje.  2005. Zamia encephalartoides in the Chicamocha Canyon. The Cycad Newsletter. Vol 28(3/4) 8-11.

Calonje, A., and M. Calonje. 2003. The Horticultural Potential of Colombian Cycads. The Cycad Newsletter Vol. 26(1).

Field experience

Bahamas (2009, 2010, 2011)

Belize (2008, 2010)

China (2008)

Colombia (2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011)

Costa Rica (2004, 2006, 2008)

Dominican Republic (2009)

Guam and Rota (2007)

Jamaica (2008)

Panama (2007 – 2009).

Puerto Rico (2003, 2008)

United States (2004 - 2007)

.

.

.

11901 Old Cutler Road • Coral Gables, Florida  33156 USA
(305) 667-3800  •  FAX (305) 667-5984