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Encephalartos ferox
G.Bertol.
Zululand Cycad
Zamiaceae
Encephalartos ferox is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is found in coastal northeastern South Africa and southern Mozambique. It is often grown as an ornamental for its attractive appearance.
Description
Encephalartos ferox sometimes has a stem growing 1 to 2 m tall but usually sprawls, occasionally suckering, with densely hairy stems. Leaves are glossy dark green, 1 to 2 m long and 30 to 36 cm wide, pinnate, on a 9 to 24 cm long, 15 to 18 mm diameter stalk. They have many pairs of leaflets, 15 to 18 cm long and 3.5 to 8 cm wide. Leaflets have a few sharply pointed teeth and lobes, are sometimes twisted, and are slightly wider above the midpoint. Male (pollen) cones are in clusters of up to three but occasionally ten for larger plants. They are approximately cylindrical, erect, 40 to 50 cm tall and 7 to 10 cm wide, unusually pinkish to bright red, occasionally yellow. The stalk is 10 to 15 cm long, furrowed. Sporophylls (cone “scales”) are distinctly faceted, with the main facet being 9 to 12 mm high and 20 to 22 mm wide. Seeds are borne on separate plants. Female cones hold seeds, and are in clusters of up to three (or five for older plants). They are bright orange to red, occasionally yellow, ovoid, about 25 to 50 cm long, 20 to 40 cm wide, on a very short stalk. Sporophylls are distinctly faceted, with the main facet being 15 to 18 mm high, 38 to 42 mm wide, beaked at the end. Seeds are about 4.4 to 5.0 cm long, 1.5 to 2.0 cm wide, with an outer layer (sarcotesta) that is red (Whitelock 2003).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Encephalartos ferox is often grown as an ornamental because of its attractive cones, which are bright red, orange, or yellow (Whitelock 2003). A starchy substance can be derived from the pith (Turner 2002).
Distribution
Encephalartos ferox tends to occur in scrubby habitats, either on sand dunes or in shrubby areas, or in evergreen coastal forests. The species is native to coastal southeastern Africa, from KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa to Sofala province in southern Mozambique (Donaldson 2010).
Status
Encephalartos ferox is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Near Threatened". It is threatened by over-collecting, as well as habitat destruction for development or agriculture. It is listed in Appendix I of CITES, an international treaty regulating the trade of endangered species (Donaldson 2010).
References
Donaldson, J. S. 2010. Encephalartos ferox. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41943A10607271.en. Downloaded on 12 February 2019.
Turner, S. 2002. Encephalartos ferox. PlantZAfrica. [accessed 2019 Feb 12]. http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-ferox.
Whitelock, L. M. 2003. The Cycads. Portland: Timber Press.
Turner, S. 2002. Encephalartos ferox. PlantZAfrica. [accessed 2019 Feb 12]. http://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-ferox.
Whitelock, L. M. 2003. The Cycads. Portland: Timber Press.
Description
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