This is a great topic!!( even if many of the species look alike
)Cycads of South Africa
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Lisbeth
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Re: Cycads of South Africa
It is quite understandable why it is called "Ferox" when you have close up
This is a great topic!!( even if many of the species look alike )
This is a great topic!!( even if many of the species look alike
)
Last edited by Lisbeth on Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Re: Cycads of South Africa
WHY ARE THEY SO BEAUTIFUL 
.
.Stop buying frackers products,now !!!
Biyamiti camp-Nov 2017- with family and friends
Biyamiti camp-Nov 2017- with family and friends
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Sharifa
Re: Cycads of South Africa
E. friderici-guilielmi
Description
The stems of E. friderici-guilielmi are quite thick, 35cm to 60cm in diameter, and up to 4m tall. Stems may be unbranched but many are branched from the base. Tall stems usually lean over and may even lie flat on the ground, in which case the top part is usually curved upwards. The flattish crown of the stem is open and covered with brown wool.
The leaves are 1m to 1,5m long, including a petiole of 30cm, and are fairly straight, although many are curved downwards. When cones appear, the leaves may be pushed down to below the crown. Young leaves are very soft and light green or blueish green in colour, with the leaflets tightly packed together, while mature leaves become yellowish with age.
The pinnae at the middle of the leaf are 10cm to 18cm long and 7mm to 8mm broad, with a number of prominent veins on the lower surface. The leaflets are closely spaced and overlap upwards in the top third of the leaf. They are attached to the leaf stalk in the form of a V. The lower leaflets are reduced in size but not to prickles.
E. friderici-guilielmi bears the largest number of cones in the genus. Male plants may produce as many as twelve cones and female plants up to six. The cones are densely-woolly with a yellowish colour at first, darkening to a brownish or beige colour at maturity. Male cones are 20cm to 40cm long and 6cm to 10cm in diameter. They are cylindrical and curved, tapering towards the tips. The cone scales at the middle of the cone are 2,5cm to 2,8cm long and 2cm broad, with a beak projecting about 5mm. Female cones are barrel-shaped, with rounded tips. They are 25cm to 30cm long and 15cm to 20cm in diameter. The median scales are 4,5cm to 5cm long, 4,5cm broad and 2,5cm thick. The face of the scale under the wool is yellow and fairly smooth, with lateral ridges. The seeds are are covered by a pale yellow to orange-yellow sarcotesta, about 3cm long and 2cm in diameter.
Distribution and Habitat
E. friderici-guilielmi occurs on mountains and rocky hill-slopes in the districts of Queenstown and Cathcart, extending eastwards at intervals to the vicinity of Kokstad. In its habitat the species is associated with grassland and other low-growing plants. The temperature ranges from very high in summer to very low in winter with snow and frost. The rainfall rainfall occurs in summer and ranges from 375mm to 500mm per year.
Description
The stems of E. friderici-guilielmi are quite thick, 35cm to 60cm in diameter, and up to 4m tall. Stems may be unbranched but many are branched from the base. Tall stems usually lean over and may even lie flat on the ground, in which case the top part is usually curved upwards. The flattish crown of the stem is open and covered with brown wool.
The leaves are 1m to 1,5m long, including a petiole of 30cm, and are fairly straight, although many are curved downwards. When cones appear, the leaves may be pushed down to below the crown. Young leaves are very soft and light green or blueish green in colour, with the leaflets tightly packed together, while mature leaves become yellowish with age.
The pinnae at the middle of the leaf are 10cm to 18cm long and 7mm to 8mm broad, with a number of prominent veins on the lower surface. The leaflets are closely spaced and overlap upwards in the top third of the leaf. They are attached to the leaf stalk in the form of a V. The lower leaflets are reduced in size but not to prickles.
E. friderici-guilielmi bears the largest number of cones in the genus. Male plants may produce as many as twelve cones and female plants up to six. The cones are densely-woolly with a yellowish colour at first, darkening to a brownish or beige colour at maturity. Male cones are 20cm to 40cm long and 6cm to 10cm in diameter. They are cylindrical and curved, tapering towards the tips. The cone scales at the middle of the cone are 2,5cm to 2,8cm long and 2cm broad, with a beak projecting about 5mm. Female cones are barrel-shaped, with rounded tips. They are 25cm to 30cm long and 15cm to 20cm in diameter. The median scales are 4,5cm to 5cm long, 4,5cm broad and 2,5cm thick. The face of the scale under the wool is yellow and fairly smooth, with lateral ridges. The seeds are are covered by a pale yellow to orange-yellow sarcotesta, about 3cm long and 2cm in diameter.
Distribution and Habitat
E. friderici-guilielmi occurs on mountains and rocky hill-slopes in the districts of Queenstown and Cathcart, extending eastwards at intervals to the vicinity of Kokstad. In its habitat the species is associated with grassland and other low-growing plants. The temperature ranges from very high in summer to very low in winter with snow and frost. The rainfall rainfall occurs in summer and ranges from 375mm to 500mm per year.
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Sharifa
Re: Cycads of South Africa
E. ghellinkii
Encephalartos ghellinkii is a medium-sized plant with stems about 1m tall and a diameter of 30cm to 40cm. Initially the stems are single and suckers develop later. Old specimens can reach 3m eventually but these stems become leaning, sometimes almost horizontal. The plant then suckers and forms a clump of five or more stems on the same root. Stems end in an open, brown, wooly crown.
Leaves are about 750mm long and only rarely exceed 1m in length. The stiff rachis is yellowish in colour and leaves can be spirally twisted along it's length. The petiole can be 200mm to 250mm long with no prickles or spines. The leaves are covered in dense, grey hair when young but this is soon shed to reveal the dark green colour of the foliage.
The pinnae are closely packed and set into the rachis in an inverted 'V'. The margins are strongly revolute to give a needle-like appearance. This is a key characteristic to identify this species. The leaflet insertion angle and revolute margins are both adaptations to the harsh habitat in which it occurs. Heavy snowfalls and dessicating winds are not unusual. The pinnae are entire, pungent-tipped and slightly reduced in size towards the end of the leaf and the petiole. The coastal and Berg forms of E. ghellinkii differ in leaf form with the lower altitude plants having longer and narrower pinnae. Plants in the Natal midlands are intermediate between the coastal and montane forms.
E. ghellinkii bears up to 5 female cones or seven male cones per stem. Cones are tomentose and pale brown. Peducles are short and stout. The male strobilus is 200mm to 250mm long and 60mm to 70mm in diameter, cylindrical and tapering at the ends. Cones can often be slightly curved. Female strobili are about the same length but 120mm to 150mm in diameter and barrel shaped. Seeds have a golden-yellow sarcotesta and measure about 30mm by 20mm.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal and occurs at a range of altitudes from 700m to 2400m. Habitat varies from grassland and rocky outcrops to sandstone cliffs in the Drakensberg where E. ghellinkii is asociated with montane 'fynbos' vegetation. Localities are found south at Flagstaff and Port Shepstone and north to Richmond, Bulwer and Estcourt. In the Drakensberg it is found from Giant's Castle in the south to Mont-aux-Sources in the north. The largest stands are found in Mlambonja Valley. As with many grassland species E. ghellinkii is also associated with a fire cycle. This seems to stimulate new leaf flushes and is possibly necessary for coning. The climate is mild to hot in summer. Winters are very cold with snow at the higher altitudes. Coastal areas have a mild winter climate.
This species is classified as vulnerable and in need of conservation. Seeds are eaten by baboons and it is likely that only the sarcotesta is consumed and the kernel discarded, thus helping to spread the seed.
Encephalartos ghellinkii is a medium-sized plant with stems about 1m tall and a diameter of 30cm to 40cm. Initially the stems are single and suckers develop later. Old specimens can reach 3m eventually but these stems become leaning, sometimes almost horizontal. The plant then suckers and forms a clump of five or more stems on the same root. Stems end in an open, brown, wooly crown.
Leaves are about 750mm long and only rarely exceed 1m in length. The stiff rachis is yellowish in colour and leaves can be spirally twisted along it's length. The petiole can be 200mm to 250mm long with no prickles or spines. The leaves are covered in dense, grey hair when young but this is soon shed to reveal the dark green colour of the foliage.
The pinnae are closely packed and set into the rachis in an inverted 'V'. The margins are strongly revolute to give a needle-like appearance. This is a key characteristic to identify this species. The leaflet insertion angle and revolute margins are both adaptations to the harsh habitat in which it occurs. Heavy snowfalls and dessicating winds are not unusual. The pinnae are entire, pungent-tipped and slightly reduced in size towards the end of the leaf and the petiole. The coastal and Berg forms of E. ghellinkii differ in leaf form with the lower altitude plants having longer and narrower pinnae. Plants in the Natal midlands are intermediate between the coastal and montane forms.
E. ghellinkii bears up to 5 female cones or seven male cones per stem. Cones are tomentose and pale brown. Peducles are short and stout. The male strobilus is 200mm to 250mm long and 60mm to 70mm in diameter, cylindrical and tapering at the ends. Cones can often be slightly curved. Female strobili are about the same length but 120mm to 150mm in diameter and barrel shaped. Seeds have a golden-yellow sarcotesta and measure about 30mm by 20mm.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal and occurs at a range of altitudes from 700m to 2400m. Habitat varies from grassland and rocky outcrops to sandstone cliffs in the Drakensberg where E. ghellinkii is asociated with montane 'fynbos' vegetation. Localities are found south at Flagstaff and Port Shepstone and north to Richmond, Bulwer and Estcourt. In the Drakensberg it is found from Giant's Castle in the south to Mont-aux-Sources in the north. The largest stands are found in Mlambonja Valley. As with many grassland species E. ghellinkii is also associated with a fire cycle. This seems to stimulate new leaf flushes and is possibly necessary for coning. The climate is mild to hot in summer. Winters are very cold with snow at the higher altitudes. Coastal areas have a mild winter climate.
This species is classified as vulnerable and in need of conservation. Seeds are eaten by baboons and it is likely that only the sarcotesta is consumed and the kernel discarded, thus helping to spread the seed.
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Sharifa
Re: Cycads of South Africa
E. heenanii
Description
The stems of E. heenanii are well-developed and suckering or branching from the base. Mature trunks are erect or become procumbent with age. They are up to 3m long and 400mm in diameter. The cataphylls are linear-lanceolate, often persisting in a dry brittle form on the upper half of the trunk and are very densely woolly with long golden brown hairs in the crown.
Leaves are 1m to 2m long, the rachis is incurved and often slightly twisted at the apex, giving a "cup-like" appearance to the plant's crown. The petiole can be up to 200mm long and is round in cross section.
Median pinnae are succubously orientated, ascending in the plane of the rachis and markedly reflexed from the rachis. Leaflets are oblong-lanceolate in outline, 100mm to 150mm long and up to 20mm broad. The margins are entire or have 1 to 2 teeth. The lower leaflet surface has prominently raised veins and while the upper surface often has small wart-like protuberances. Lower leaflets are reduced but not to a series of prickles.
Male cones are usually single or in groups of 2 to 4. They are sub-cylindrical in shape and pedunculate. They are 270mm to 300mm in length, 120mm to 180mm in diameter and covered with dense brown wool. Cones are seldom glabrous. The male cone is similar in appearance to the female cone. A single female cone is usually produced and rarely 3. It is pedunculate, broadly ovate and 200mm to 350mm long, 170mm to 200mm in diameter and covered with dense shaggy golden hair but is often a glabrous yellow.
Distribution and Habitat
This species is known with certainty from a very small mountainous area on the border between Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa. It grows in open grassland on steep slopes at an altitude of about 1500m. The climate is hot in summer and cold in winter. The area gets summer rainfall of 1200mm per annum.
It appears as if this species was never abundant and illegal collecting, even in the years before formal description, has reduced numbers in the wild to near extinction. Plants are presently conserved in the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve (RSA) and the Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland. During a survey in 1985, it was found that fewer than 500 plants existed in the wild. Few cycads have captured the imagination of collectors as E. heenanii has. It appears as if the inaccessibility of the terrain is no deterrent to poachers who even hire helicopters to remove mature specimens. It is a sad state of affairs that there are more mature specimens of this species in cultivation than in nature. This species must be considered as endangered and close to extinction by conservation authorities. This is mainly due to the taxon's severely restricted distribution, intensive pressure from collectors, its inability to reproduce sexually, inter specific hybridization, encroachment on it's habitat by forestry activities, cultural and medicinal use and the presence of possibly introduced fungal pathogens.
An intensive exsitu conservation project has been started in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden and it is hoped that this species will be saved from extinction.
Description
The stems of E. heenanii are well-developed and suckering or branching from the base. Mature trunks are erect or become procumbent with age. They are up to 3m long and 400mm in diameter. The cataphylls are linear-lanceolate, often persisting in a dry brittle form on the upper half of the trunk and are very densely woolly with long golden brown hairs in the crown.
Leaves are 1m to 2m long, the rachis is incurved and often slightly twisted at the apex, giving a "cup-like" appearance to the plant's crown. The petiole can be up to 200mm long and is round in cross section.
Median pinnae are succubously orientated, ascending in the plane of the rachis and markedly reflexed from the rachis. Leaflets are oblong-lanceolate in outline, 100mm to 150mm long and up to 20mm broad. The margins are entire or have 1 to 2 teeth. The lower leaflet surface has prominently raised veins and while the upper surface often has small wart-like protuberances. Lower leaflets are reduced but not to a series of prickles.
Male cones are usually single or in groups of 2 to 4. They are sub-cylindrical in shape and pedunculate. They are 270mm to 300mm in length, 120mm to 180mm in diameter and covered with dense brown wool. Cones are seldom glabrous. The male cone is similar in appearance to the female cone. A single female cone is usually produced and rarely 3. It is pedunculate, broadly ovate and 200mm to 350mm long, 170mm to 200mm in diameter and covered with dense shaggy golden hair but is often a glabrous yellow.
Distribution and Habitat
This species is known with certainty from a very small mountainous area on the border between Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa. It grows in open grassland on steep slopes at an altitude of about 1500m. The climate is hot in summer and cold in winter. The area gets summer rainfall of 1200mm per annum.
It appears as if this species was never abundant and illegal collecting, even in the years before formal description, has reduced numbers in the wild to near extinction. Plants are presently conserved in the Somgimvelo Nature Reserve (RSA) and the Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland. During a survey in 1985, it was found that fewer than 500 plants existed in the wild. Few cycads have captured the imagination of collectors as E. heenanii has. It appears as if the inaccessibility of the terrain is no deterrent to poachers who even hire helicopters to remove mature specimens. It is a sad state of affairs that there are more mature specimens of this species in cultivation than in nature. This species must be considered as endangered and close to extinction by conservation authorities. This is mainly due to the taxon's severely restricted distribution, intensive pressure from collectors, its inability to reproduce sexually, inter specific hybridization, encroachment on it's habitat by forestry activities, cultural and medicinal use and the presence of possibly introduced fungal pathogens.
An intensive exsitu conservation project has been started in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden and it is hoped that this species will be saved from extinction.
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Sharifa
Re: Cycads of South Africa
E.hirsutus
Description
The trunks of E. hirsutus are decumbent and up to 3.5m or rarely 4.2m long. It is 350mm to 400mm in diameter with persistent leaf bases with a golden, densely tomentose (hairy) crown, turning greyish with age.
The numerous leaves are arranged in a dense crown, glaucous, subsessile and rigid with recurved apices. They are 1.1m to 1.2m (-1.4m) long. The petiole is bulbous at the base, tomentose (hairy) and up to 130mm long.
The pinnae are inflexed, with entire margins and the veins are raised on the abaxial surface. The leaflets are directed towards the apex of the leaf at an angle of about 40° to each other. The upper margins overlap with the lower margins of the adjoining leaflets. The basal leaflets are gradually reduced in size but not to a series of spines. The median leaflets are narrowly elliptic and somewhat sickle-shaped, gradually acuminate with acute and pungent apices. They are decurrent (turning downward) basally on the rachis with the apices somewhat turned towards the leaf apex.
The cones are dimorphous, waxy bluish-green, glabrous and with smooth scale facets. Up to 5 male cones per stem were seen. They are narrowly ovoid. The exposed faces of the median microsporophylls (male cone scales) are rhombic, with the central facet flat or slightly concave. The female cones are ovoid and 1 to 3 per trunk were observed. They are about 400mm long and 350mm in diameter, appearing sessile but with a peduncle up to 60mm long, hidden amongst cataphylls in the trunk crown. About 200 seeds are produced per cone. The sarcotesta is orange-red and the kernel is 30mm to 35mm long and 15mm to 18mm in diameter, ellipsoid in shape,round and smooth.
Distribution and Habitat
Plants grow exposed on south-east facing quartzite cliffs in moist semi-deciduous mixed scrub where observation is often obscured by the dominant Androstachys johnsonii (Lebombo ironwood) trees. At the type locality plants grow exposed on a dry south-facing cliff in association with Androstachys johnsonii, Adenia spinosa ("doringrige bobbejaangif"), Barleria bremekampii and Eragrostis superba (sawtooth lovegrass). The rainfall of some 350mm to 650mm per annum occurs in summer. Over the distribution range of this species, Encephalartos transvenosus is the only other Encephalartos species occurring nearby.
Description
The trunks of E. hirsutus are decumbent and up to 3.5m or rarely 4.2m long. It is 350mm to 400mm in diameter with persistent leaf bases with a golden, densely tomentose (hairy) crown, turning greyish with age.
The numerous leaves are arranged in a dense crown, glaucous, subsessile and rigid with recurved apices. They are 1.1m to 1.2m (-1.4m) long. The petiole is bulbous at the base, tomentose (hairy) and up to 130mm long.
The pinnae are inflexed, with entire margins and the veins are raised on the abaxial surface. The leaflets are directed towards the apex of the leaf at an angle of about 40° to each other. The upper margins overlap with the lower margins of the adjoining leaflets. The basal leaflets are gradually reduced in size but not to a series of spines. The median leaflets are narrowly elliptic and somewhat sickle-shaped, gradually acuminate with acute and pungent apices. They are decurrent (turning downward) basally on the rachis with the apices somewhat turned towards the leaf apex.
The cones are dimorphous, waxy bluish-green, glabrous and with smooth scale facets. Up to 5 male cones per stem were seen. They are narrowly ovoid. The exposed faces of the median microsporophylls (male cone scales) are rhombic, with the central facet flat or slightly concave. The female cones are ovoid and 1 to 3 per trunk were observed. They are about 400mm long and 350mm in diameter, appearing sessile but with a peduncle up to 60mm long, hidden amongst cataphylls in the trunk crown. About 200 seeds are produced per cone. The sarcotesta is orange-red and the kernel is 30mm to 35mm long and 15mm to 18mm in diameter, ellipsoid in shape,round and smooth.
Distribution and Habitat
Plants grow exposed on south-east facing quartzite cliffs in moist semi-deciduous mixed scrub where observation is often obscured by the dominant Androstachys johnsonii (Lebombo ironwood) trees. At the type locality plants grow exposed on a dry south-facing cliff in association with Androstachys johnsonii, Adenia spinosa ("doringrige bobbejaangif"), Barleria bremekampii and Eragrostis superba (sawtooth lovegrass). The rainfall of some 350mm to 650mm per annum occurs in summer. Over the distribution range of this species, Encephalartos transvenosus is the only other Encephalartos species occurring nearby.
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Lisbeth
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Re: Cycads of South Africa
Now, that's a nice one 
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
-
Sharifa
Re: Cycads of South Africa
E.horridus
Description
The stems of typical, mature Encephalartos horridus plants are between 50cm and 1m in length and 20cm to 30cm in diameter.The entire crown of the stem is slightly woolly. E. horridus forms thick, tuberous roots and even small seedlings have large roots, appearing out of proportion with the stem and leaves. Many of these tuberous roots may be formed, especially if the original tap root is broken off or damaged. Plants may be unbranched but are more usually branched from the base. Large clusters of plants may be formed.
The very characteristic leaves of E. horridus, for which the species is named, are approximately 1m long and usually sharply recurved towards the tip. Younger leaves have a very attractive silvery-blue colour but turn green with age. The petiole is up to 15cm in length and the leaf base is large and light-brown in colour.
The pinnae at the middle of the leaf are approximately 10cm long and 2,5cm broad. In drier, less fertile areas the leaflets tend to be narrower and the leaf less recurved at the tip. Each leaflet has two or three prominent lobes on the lower margin, up to 4cm in length. These lobes are twisted out of the plane of the leaflet, giving the leaves a dense appearance. The leaflets are fairly widely spread towards the base of the stem. Those near the base are smaller and may be entire, but are not reduced to more than one prickle. Towards the tip of the leaf the leaflets are more closely spaced and forms an even regular pattern, especially in plants growing in more fertile soil. The tips of the leaflets and lobes are very sharp and thorn-like.
Single cones are usually formed, although male and female plants with two cones have been observed. The cones have a brownish- or blackish-red colour, due to a dense layer of fine hair on the cone scales. In older cones the hair wears off and the cones appear more green in colour. Male and female cones are supported by a short, thick peduncle, approximately 8cm long and 3cm in diameter. The male cone is cylindrical in shape but narrower at the ends than in the middle. There are usually about 15 spirals of scales. The female cone is egg-shaped and up to 40cm long and up to 20cm in diameter. The face of cone scales at the middle of the cone protrudes about 2cm and is ridged towards the tip. The scale face is fairly smooth. There are usually 8 to 10 spirals of scales. The seeds are pale red to carmine in colour and are approximately 3,5cm long and 2,5cm in diameter. The seeds tend to be roughly triangular with three flattened surfaces.
Habitat and Distribution
E. horridus occurs in the Eastern Cape Province, in the districts of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. Its habitat varies from Karroo scrub, including the dense Addo and Uitenhage bush, to sourveld near Port Elizabeth and from deep, fertile soil to infertile, rocky ridges. The vast majority of plants occur in the drier but more fertile areas where they grow amongst plants such as the indigenous spekboom (Portulacaria), noors (Euphorbia) and the alien prickly-pear. Rainfall varies from 250mm to 600mm per year and is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The climate is temperate and frost is unusual. Summer temperatures may be as high as 40°C or more.
Encephalartos horridus is a very distinctive South African cycad which has been known to botanists for almost 200 years. Its very characteristic leaves always make an impression on people who see it for the first time, as is evident from its name.
E. horridus must have been very abundant untill fairly recently. Not many years ago it was still possible to see plants along the roads around Uitenhage. The numerous specimens in gardens in Uitenhage, Despatch and Port Elizabeth, and the fact that it is very well represented in collections in the rest of South Africa and overseas, indicate clearly that its days of abundance in nature are past. Only a few colonies are protected in the Springs Nature Reserve near Uitenhage. Although E. horridus has been declared an endangered species and may not be removed from its natural habitat without a permit, very few viable seeds seem to survive in nature. Almost all the seed appear to be infested with the curculionid weevil. The status of reproduction of E. horridus in nature therefore seems uncertain.
Ref: Cycad Society of South Africa
Description
The stems of typical, mature Encephalartos horridus plants are between 50cm and 1m in length and 20cm to 30cm in diameter.The entire crown of the stem is slightly woolly. E. horridus forms thick, tuberous roots and even small seedlings have large roots, appearing out of proportion with the stem and leaves. Many of these tuberous roots may be formed, especially if the original tap root is broken off or damaged. Plants may be unbranched but are more usually branched from the base. Large clusters of plants may be formed.
The very characteristic leaves of E. horridus, for which the species is named, are approximately 1m long and usually sharply recurved towards the tip. Younger leaves have a very attractive silvery-blue colour but turn green with age. The petiole is up to 15cm in length and the leaf base is large and light-brown in colour.
The pinnae at the middle of the leaf are approximately 10cm long and 2,5cm broad. In drier, less fertile areas the leaflets tend to be narrower and the leaf less recurved at the tip. Each leaflet has two or three prominent lobes on the lower margin, up to 4cm in length. These lobes are twisted out of the plane of the leaflet, giving the leaves a dense appearance. The leaflets are fairly widely spread towards the base of the stem. Those near the base are smaller and may be entire, but are not reduced to more than one prickle. Towards the tip of the leaf the leaflets are more closely spaced and forms an even regular pattern, especially in plants growing in more fertile soil. The tips of the leaflets and lobes are very sharp and thorn-like.
Single cones are usually formed, although male and female plants with two cones have been observed. The cones have a brownish- or blackish-red colour, due to a dense layer of fine hair on the cone scales. In older cones the hair wears off and the cones appear more green in colour. Male and female cones are supported by a short, thick peduncle, approximately 8cm long and 3cm in diameter. The male cone is cylindrical in shape but narrower at the ends than in the middle. There are usually about 15 spirals of scales. The female cone is egg-shaped and up to 40cm long and up to 20cm in diameter. The face of cone scales at the middle of the cone protrudes about 2cm and is ridged towards the tip. The scale face is fairly smooth. There are usually 8 to 10 spirals of scales. The seeds are pale red to carmine in colour and are approximately 3,5cm long and 2,5cm in diameter. The seeds tend to be roughly triangular with three flattened surfaces.
Habitat and Distribution
E. horridus occurs in the Eastern Cape Province, in the districts of Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. Its habitat varies from Karroo scrub, including the dense Addo and Uitenhage bush, to sourveld near Port Elizabeth and from deep, fertile soil to infertile, rocky ridges. The vast majority of plants occur in the drier but more fertile areas where they grow amongst plants such as the indigenous spekboom (Portulacaria), noors (Euphorbia) and the alien prickly-pear. Rainfall varies from 250mm to 600mm per year and is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The climate is temperate and frost is unusual. Summer temperatures may be as high as 40°C or more.
Encephalartos horridus is a very distinctive South African cycad which has been known to botanists for almost 200 years. Its very characteristic leaves always make an impression on people who see it for the first time, as is evident from its name.
E. horridus must have been very abundant untill fairly recently. Not many years ago it was still possible to see plants along the roads around Uitenhage. The numerous specimens in gardens in Uitenhage, Despatch and Port Elizabeth, and the fact that it is very well represented in collections in the rest of South Africa and overseas, indicate clearly that its days of abundance in nature are past. Only a few colonies are protected in the Springs Nature Reserve near Uitenhage. Although E. horridus has been declared an endangered species and may not be removed from its natural habitat without a permit, very few viable seeds seem to survive in nature. Almost all the seed appear to be infested with the curculionid weevil. The status of reproduction of E. horridus in nature therefore seems uncertain.
Ref: Cycad Society of South Africa