top of page
Encephalartos altensteinii
Lehm.
Eastern Cape Giant Cycad
Zamiaceae
Encephalartos altensteinii is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is native to coastal areas of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Description
Encephalartos altensteinii is a tree-sized cycad, growing up to 5 m tall. Its trunk is light tan and up to 35 cm wide. Leaves are bright green or yellow-green, 1.5 to 2 m long and up to 35 cm wide, pinnate, on a 10 to 30 cm long, 1.5 cm diameter stalk. They have over a hundred pairs of leaflets, 12.5 to 17 cm long and about 2 cm wide, smaller near the base of the leaf. Leaflets are lanceolate, evenly spaced, angled 30° to 40° forward, untoothed or with a few teeth, especially when young. Male (pollen) cones are found in clusters of up to five. They are nearly cylindrical, 40 to 50 cm tall and 12 to 15 cm wide, yellowish. The stalk is 5 to 10 cm long and 4 to 5 cm in diameter. Sporophylls (cone “scales”) have faces that extend out about 1.5 to 2 cm long. Seeds are borne on separate plants. Female cones hold seeds, and are in clusters of up to five. They are yellowish, cylindrical to ovoid, about 40 to 50 cm long, 20 to 30 cm wide, on a short, hidden stalk. Sporophylls are faceted, with the main facet being 3.5 cm high, 4.5 to 5 cm wide, wrinkled and woolly. Seeds are about 2.9 to 3.3 cm long, 1.9 to 2.1 cm wide, with many longitudinal ridges, and an outer layer (sarcotesta) that is bright red when ripe (Whitelock 2003).
Encephalartos altensteinii is extremely variable and hybridizes frequently with other species. Western populations of this species have leaflets that are longer, flatter, and with more spines than the eastern populations. This hybridization produces an array of hybrid plants with diverse characteristics, often fertile and self-propagating, making the genus as a whole difficult to classify. The species itself may also be a hybrid (Whitelock 2003).
Encephalartos altensteinii is extremely variable and hybridizes frequently with other species. Western populations of this species have leaflets that are longer, flatter, and with more spines than the eastern populations. This hybridization produces an array of hybrid plants with diverse characteristics, often fertile and self-propagating, making the genus as a whole difficult to classify. The species itself may also be a hybrid (Whitelock 2003).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Encephalartos altensteinii is often grown as an ornamental in USDA zones 10 to 12, where it is hardy. It prefers full sun but can tolerate shade, and prefers well-drained, loamy soils. The pith is used as a food: since cycad species are toxic, the pith has to be buried for months to rot, then kneaded and baked (MBG).
Distribution
Encephalartos altensteinii is found in forests and bush, anywhere from full sun to shade, at an altitude of up to 250 m. It is native to coastal areas of South Africa from the Boesmans River in Eastern Cape, almost to the border with KwaZulu-Natal (Whitelock 2003).
Status
Encephalartos altensteinii is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Vulnerable". The species has a small population size, and is threatened by over-collecting, habitat destruction for agriculture, and some harvesting of the bark for medicinal purposes. It is listed in Appendix I of CITES, an international treaty regulating the trade of endangered species (Donaldson 2010).
References
Donaldson, J. S. 2010. <i>Encephalartos altensteinii.</i> <i>The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species</i>. <a>htttps://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41908A10589725.en</a>.<br><br>MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Encephalartos altensteinii. <i>Plant Finder</i>. [accessed 2019 Feb 15]. <a>http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d175</a><br><br>Whitelock, L. M. 2003. <i>The Cycads</i>. Portland: Timber Press.
Description
bottom of page