| Encephalartos gratus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Encephalartos |
| Species: | E. gratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Encephalartos gratus Prain | |
Encephalartos gratus is a species of cycad that is native to Malawi and Mozambique. [3]
The trunks of this plant are solitary, spherical, or reach up to 1.2 meters in height and 60 cm in width. The cataphylls are triangular and gradually taper from a width of 8 - 12 cm at the base. They are usually hairy on the underside. The plant has numerous arched leaves and shaped like a lance or a narrow oval. These leaves are 0.9 - 1.8 meters long and 34 - 44 cm wide, with a flat surface, a rounded tip, and a base that narrows abruptly. The petioles are 10 - 12 cm long with a swollen base, and is densely covered in brown hair. The rhachis is slightly conical and either smooth or slightly ridged. The leaflets are arranged in 30 to 70 pairs and do not overlap, dull green, flexible, and either straight or bent forward. The basal leaflets are reduced to thorns, while the middle leaflets are lanceolate, 18 - 26 cm long, and 23 - 35 mm wide. The upper margin of the middle leaflets has two to seven spines, while the lower margin has no spines or up to six spiny teeth.
The female cones of this plant are either solitary or occur in clusters of up to ten. They are cylindrical or approximately conical in shape, measuring 55 - 68 cm in length and 15 - 20 cm in diameter. The cones are dark brown in color, with a stem that is 11.2 - 13.7 cm long and 5 - 7.5 cm in diameter. The middle sporophylls are about 30 mm high and 56 mm wide. The sarcotesta is dull vermilion when mature, ovate in shape, measuring 30 - 37 mm in length and 19 - 21 mm in diameter, and is more or less smooth with 11 to 14 indistinct longitudinal furrows. In a local variation of this plant found in the Namuli Mountains of Mozambique, a cluster of leaves emerges from the tip of each cone, with the leaves reaching a length of a meter (3 ft 3 in). [4]
The male cones are usually solitary but can occur in clusters of up to five. They are spindle-shaped, measuring 30 - 40 cm in length and 7.5 - 10 cm in diameter. The cones are densely covered in reddish-brown hair. The stem of the male cones is 15 - 17.5 cm long, hairy, and dull yellow-green with deep red spots. The middle sporophylls of the male cones are 19 mm high and just as wide. The sporangia, which are the structures that produce spores, are arranged in a single, somewhat heart-shaped spot within the cone. [5]
Encephalartos gratus is found in: [6]
Cycas canalis is a species of cycad in the genus Cycas, native to northern Australia in the northwest of Northern Territory, where it occurs in two areas, on the coast at Channel Point, and inland in the Daly River area near Dorisvale.
Cycas chamaoensis is named after the only known habitat of this species, on and near Khao Chamao mountain in Khao Chamao District, Thailand. Stems are arborescent, either erect or decumbent. Leaves numerous, exceeding 60 per crown, 1.2-2.5 meters in length, ending in terminal spine. Petiole 30–60 cm, glabrous and partially spiny. Leaflets in 85-155 pairs, and lanceolate, glabrous and angled forward at 60-70 degrees.
Encephalartos ferox, a member of the family Zamiaceae, is a small cycad with 35 cm wide subterranean trunk. It gets its name from the Latin word ferocious, likely from the spine-tipped lobes on the leaves of the plant. It is found naturally on the south-eastern coast of Africa where it has been used by local people for its starch content. It is considered to be one of the most popular cultivated cycads.
Encephalartos senticosus is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae native to the Lebombo Mountains of Mozambique, Eswatini (Swaziland), and the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Prior to its description in 1996, Encephalartos senticosus had been confused with the closely related and sympatric Encephalartos lebomboensis. Both species are commonly known as the Lebombo cycad.
Encephalartos trispinosus is a species of cycad that is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
Encephalartos pterogonus is a species of cycad that is native to Mount Mruwere and adjacent mountains in the Manica province of Mozambique.
Encephalartos paucidentatus is a species of cycad.
Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi is a species of cycad that is native to Eastern Cape province and KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa at elevations of 700 up to 1400 meters.
Encephalartos eugene-maraisii is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is limited to Limpopo. It is known as the Waterberg cycad.
Encephalartos equatorialis is a species of cycad that is found on two granite hills on the eastern shore of Thurston Bay, Lake Victoria, Uganda at elevations up to 1000 meters.
Encephalartos dolomiticus, the Wolkberg cycad, is a critically endangered species of cycad. It is only found in the Wolkberg at elevations of 1100–1500 meters. The area is near Penge in southeastern Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Encephalartos cupidus is a species of cycad that is found in the Limpopo Province, South Africa at elevations of 700 up to 1,500.
Encephalartos concinnus is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Zimbabwe. It is known as the Runde cycad.
Encephalartos arenarius is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is limited to the Eastern Cape. Its common names include Alexandria cycad and dune cycad.
Encephalartos inopinus is a species of cycad that is native to Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Encephalartos hildebrandtii is a species of cycad in the Zamiaceae family. It is native to Kenya and Tanzania at elevations from sea level to 600 metres (2,000 ft). The species is named for the German explorer Johann Maria Hildebrandt.
The Chimanimani cycad is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe. It is a threatened species which has been locally extirpated by cycad collectors.
Encephalartos macrostrobilus is a species of cycad in Africa. It is found only in Moyo District, northwestern Uganda, which is populated predominantly by the ethnic Madi.
Encephalartos aplanatus is a species of cycad in Eswatini.
Encephalartos humilis is a species of cycad in the former Transvaal Province, South Africa.
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Data related to Encephalartos gratus at Wikispecies  | This cycad article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
