CYCADS OF SOUTH AFRICA

• Varies from critically endangered to threatened, depending on locality.

CULTIVATION:

• Full sun to semi shade.
• Regular watering.
• Some localities can sustain frost but as a general rule only light frost will be tolerated.

PROPAGATION:

• Grows relatively fast and is readily propagated from seed and suckers.

• KwaZulu Natal province. Theplants originally described as E. natalensis came from the Krantzkloof area between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
• Currently a large variety of Encephalartos growing in KwaZulu Natal is grouped
  under one species – E. natalensis.
• There are distinct differences between some of these E. natalensis localities and a great amount of scientific work is needed in the E. natalensis field.
• Some of these colonies are severely depleted and critically endangered with some other plants less so.

STEM:

• Erect, aerial stem which sometimes branches and tends to recline when long.
• The stem can attain a length of 6 – 7 meters with a diameter of 25 cm to 45 cm.
• Most colonies of E. natalensis have golden brown wool on the apex but the amount can vary significantly.

• Both sexes produce yellow brownish to reddish brown cones.
• Female cones are mostly brownish in colour with initially a dense woolly outer layer.