Montgomery Botanical Center’s (MBC) cycad biologist, Michael Calonje, recently returned from a
ex situ conservation for Zamia fairchildiana and Z. cunaria (pictured). Mr. Calonje conducted a month-long expedition to the Chiriquí and Wargandí provinces of Panama. Supported by MBC’s Zane B. Carothers Memorial Fund, the expedition helped advance phytogeographic understanding and
Successful collaboration with the University of Panama and the Kuna indigenous communities of Wargandí Province helped accomplish expedition objectives. Michael Calonje worked closely with Dr. Alberto Taylor, cycad researcher at the University of Panama and Montgomery Botanical Research Fellow.
A total of 733 seeds representing five species and 27 accessions of cycads and palms were collected. For additional expedition information, please see this report.