The Aroid Palm

Botanical Name : Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Surprised myself to learn that this is a palm.  Doesn't appear to look like one at all but it is.  How amazing!
Locally, this is one of the most sought after 'money plants' in recent years and would say, almost 90% of the Malaysian Chinese households and businesses would own one or several. Others may call it the ZZ (after its botanical name) plant.

A native of Zanzibar and Tanzania, this attractive evergreen indoor plant has smooth thick fleshy rachis with pinnate leaves of naturally glossy dark green, a representation of a crisp and healthy outlook.  It is smooth to touch almost waxy to the feel. The stem is a tuber, much like a potato.

The plant is tolerant of any soil conditions and can survive for periods without water as it is stored in the tuber.

Research materials have stated the fact that it bears yellow/brown flowers, something to look forward to, as yet to come across any of this species in or with flowers.

This plant can be cultivated by a leaf cutting (yes, a leaf with its short petiole!!!)  upright in soil and a tuber develops hence a new rachis with leaves will rise from the soil. Voila!

young spear

looking fresh + polished

                                                                      

stem (tuber) under cover                                                    

Its vibrant green is much appreciated by the Chinese community as evergreen signifies perpetual growth.

Many people believe that attaching little red bows or tying red ribbons will herald in or 'activate' the good luck that this plant is supposedly known for - especially money luck or prosperity. Whether superstition or selling benefits, its 'ka ching' all the way to the bank for the PR man, garden centres + plant nurseries.

                     lucky red ribbons

Not surprisingly, most shopkeepers would place the lucky pot plant in their premises, some more prominently beside their cash registers.