Encephalartos villosus

Last updated

Contents

Ground cycad
Encephalartos villosus07.jpg
Plant with male cones
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Encephalartos
Species:
E. villosus
Binomial name
Encephalartos villosus
Encephalartos villosus range.png
      native range
Synonyms
  • Encephalartos striatus

Encephalartos villosus is a South African cycad occurring from the East London vicinity, where it is found near the coast, to the northern border of Eswatini (Swaziland) where it may grow as far as 100 km inland. The species is common throughout its range and is the most frequently cultivated in Southern Africa, largely because of its affordable price. As a result of its large geographical distribution, it is notably variable in leaf and cone shape.

Description

A largely underground trunk results in very little of the plant being visible, so that it is described as a dwarf species, although it can sometimes grow above ground, reaching heights of up to 0.4 m and a diameter of 250 mm, and occasionally producing suckers. The crown normally consists of tightly-packed bracts covered in dense grey woolly hair (villosus = hairy). As with all cycads this species is dioecious. Male plants may carry up to 15 cones, whereas only one or two occur on the females. The seeds, embedded in bright-red flesh are eaten and distributed by the purple-crested lourie ( Tauraco porphyreolophus ) and by the trumpeter hornbill ( Bycanistes bucinator ). [3] Its young leaves are densely covered in white hairs, while mature leaves are dark green and glossy, with a lighter shade on the underside. These leaves are 1.5 to 3 m long, with median leaflets measuring 150 to 250 mm in length and 15 to 20 mm in width. Female plants of this species produce 1 to 4 cones, which are deep yellow and measure 300-500 x 200-250 mm, containing dark red seeds. The male cones, which can be lemon-yellow and measure 600-700 x 120-150 mm, can bear up to 5 cones and emit an unpleasant odor when mature. [4]

Distribution

The preferred habitat of this species is frost-free coastal bush. It hybridises readily with Encephalartos altensteinii in the Eastern Cape and with Encephalartos lebomboensis in the Pongola area.

Related Research Articles

<i>Macrozamia miquelii</i> Species of cycad

Macrozamia miquelii, is a species of cycad in the plant family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Queensland and New South Wales in Eastern Australia. Located within sclerophyll forests dominated by eucalyptus trees, the cycad grows on nutrient-poor soils. It is recognised within the Zamiaceae family for its, medium height at 1 m, intermediate size of male and female cones and lighter green leaves compared to other cycads within the plant family of Zamiaceae. The seeds have an orange red sarcotesta which attracts fauna consumption, allowing a mutualistic seed dispersal for the cycad. These seeds are also edible for human consumption if prepared correctly to remove the toxins.

<i>Encephalartos horridus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos horridus, the Eastern Cape blue cycad, is a small, low-growing cycad up to 0.9 m (3.0 ft) high and 0.9 m (3.0 ft) wide. It is a native of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, and found in arid shrublands, most commonly on ridges and slopes with shallow soils. The species is particularly known for its distinctly blue-gray leaves, although the degree of coloration can vary significantly. The species name horridus is Latin for 'bristly', after the plant's stiff, spiny leaflets.

<i>Encephalartos caffer</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos caffer, the Eastern Cape dwarf cycad, is a rare cycad from the genus Encephalartos.

<i>Encephalartos ghellinckii</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos ghellinckii Lem. or Drakensberg cycad is endemic to South Africa, and is one of about 70 species found in sub-Saharan Africa. Strongly associated with the Natal Drakensberg, this 3m tall evergreen species is found from the foothills to fairly high altitudes, growing on stream banks, steep grassy slopes and sandstone outcrops. Its preferred habitat lying within grassveld, it has developed resistance to veldfires, and also the intense cold brought on by snow and frost.

<i>Encephalartos senticosus</i> Species of cycad

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.

<i>Encephalartos whitelockii</i> Species of plant

Encephalartos whitelockii is a species of cycad that is native to Uganda.

<i>Encephalartos princeps</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos princeps is a species of cycad that is native to Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

<i>Encephalartos natalensis</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos natalensis, the Natal cycad or giant cycad, is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Qumbu and Tabankulu areas of the northern part of the Eastern Cape, and through most of KwaZulu-Natal. The number of mature individuals of this species is declining and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being "near threatened".

<i>Encephalartos gratus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos gratus is a species of cycad that is native to Malawi and Mozambique.

<i>Encephalartos concinnus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos concinnus is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is endemic to Zimbabwe. It is known as the Runde cycad.

<i>Encephalartos arenarius</i> Species of 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.

<i>Encephalartos hildebrandtii</i> Species of plant in the family Zamiaceae

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.

<i>Encephalartos chimanimaniensis</i> Species of cycad

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.

<i>Encephalartos aemulans</i> Species of cycad plant from South Africa

Encephalartos aemulans, the Ngotshe cycad, is a species of cycad endemic to South Africa. It is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered and by CITES in Appendix I. Only 100-250 are believed to be left, with a decreasing population trend. Its main threat is collecting of wild specimens.

<i>Encephalartos aplanatus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos aplanatus is a species of cycad in Eswatini.

<i>Encephalartos cerinus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos cerinus or Waxen Cycad is a species of cycad in Africa.

<i>Encephalartos lanatus</i> Species of plant

Encephalartos lanatus is a species of cycad, a plant belonging to the family Zamiaceae growing in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Its specific epithet, lanatus, means wooly in Latin.

<i>Encephalartos ngoyanus</i> Species of cycad

Encephalartos ngoyanus is a species of cycad in Ngoye Forest, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Encephalartos kanga, also known as Mnanasi Pori is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is native to Tanzania. The plant was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Tamás Pócs and Quentin Luke.

References

  1. Donaldson, J.S. (2010). "Encephalartos villosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T41947A10608666. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41947A10608666.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  3. Douglas Goode - Cycads of Africa - Struik Winchester 1989
  4. "Encephalartos villosus". PlantZAfrica. Retrieved 2024-01-03.