Kaapsehoop cycad | |
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Specimens from Kaapsehoop in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Gymnospermae |
Division: | Cycadophyta |
Class: | Cycadopsida |
Order: | Cycadales |
Family: | Zamiaceae |
Genus: | Encephalartos |
Species: | E. laevifolius |
Binomial name | |
Encephalartos laevifolius Stapf & Burtt Davy | |
Encephalartos laevifolius is a species of cycad that is found in the KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, [2] and at Piggs Peak in Eswatini. The species is facing extinction in the wild, but is widely cultivated. As of 2012, the Encephalartos laevifolius has been listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. [3]
This cycad is tree-like, growing up to 3.5 meters tall with a stem diameter of 25-35 cm. It sometimes develops additional stems from suckers at its base. Its pinnate leaves can reach 1 meter in length, supported by a 22-25 cm long petiole. Each leaf is made up of many pairs of lanceolate, leathery leaflets that are 12-15 cm long, with smooth edges and a sharp tip. This species is dioecious, with male plants bearing 1 to 5 cylindrical-fusiform cones, 30-40 cm long and 9-10 cm wide, in yellow to brown hues. Female plants produce 1-5 cylindrical cones, 20-30 cm long and 10-15 cm wide, in a light yellow color. The seeds are roughly oval-shaped, 2.5-3.5 cm long, and covered with a yellow-orange sarcotesta. [4]
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 trispinosus is a species of cycad that is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
Encephalartos paucidentatus is a species of cycad.
Encephalartos latifrons is a species of cycad that is native to Eastern Cape province in South Africa at elevations of 200 and 600 metres.
Encephalartos gratus is a species of cycad that is native to Malawi and Mozambique.
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 cycadifolius is a species of cycad that is native to the Winterberg mountains to the north of Bedford in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It is found at elevations from 1,200 to 1,800 meters.
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 middelburgensis is a species of cycad that is native to Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa at elevations of 1,100–1,400 m (3,600–4,600 ft).
Encephalartos manikensis is a species of cycad that is native to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
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.
Encephalartos schaijesii is a species of cycad endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is only found near Kolwezi in Shaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It occurs in Miombo woodlands.
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 cerinus or Waxen Cycad is a species of cycad in Africa.
Encephalartos heenanii is a species of cycad in Southern Transvaal Province, South Africa.
Encephalartos humilis is a species of cycad in the former Transvaal Province, South Africa.
Encephalartos munchii is a perennial species of cycad in Africa. In English, the species goes by the common name Munch's cycad.
Encephalartos tegulaneus, the Kenyan giant cycad, is a species of cycad endemic to Kenya. It occurs in Eastern Province near Embu, Kenya, and on the Matthews Range in Rift Valley Province.
Encephalartos umbeluziensis is a species of cycad from Africa.