Every Encephalartos species

An extremely rare cycad, which is endemic to South Africa, and known from a single mountain in the Vryheid District, in KwaZulu-Natal. Female and male cones are similar, which is one of the main characteristics used to distinguish it from other closely related cycads.

Encephalartos caffer is a relatively rare dwarf cycad in the sour grassveld of the Eastern Cape Province. It appears to be closely related to another grassland dwarf cycad, E. ngoyanus, in KwaZulu-Natal. The leaves of E. caffer are a leathery light green and the leaflets untoothed, compared with the dark green, soft foliage and toothed leaflets of E. ngoyanus . Despite its scarcity in the wild, E. caffer is easily grown from seed and grows well in a protected garden situation.

Encephalartos altensteinii is a very ornamental garden plant and probably the most common of all the cycads in cultivation. This species is long-lived, is easy to grow and in time develops into large specimens.

Encephalartos aplanatus is a shade-loving cycad that closely resembles E. villosus . The leaflets of E. aplanatus, however, tend to be wider than those of E. villosus and the two species are also geographically separated. E. aplanatus is easy to grow but is not common in cultivation.

Encephalartos arenarius is a medium-sized, multi-stemmed, subterranean plant about 1-2 m high. It grows well in semi-shade but can tolerate full sun as well. There are two distinct forms of E. arenarius, the green form and the rare blue form.

Encephalartos caffer is a relatively rare dwarf cycad in the sour grassveld of the Eastern Cape Province. It appears to be closely related to another grassland dwarf cycad, E. ngoyanus, in KwaZulu-Natal. The leaves of E. caffer are a leathery light green and the leaflets untoothed, compared with the dark green, soft foliage and toothed leaflets of E. ngoyanus . Despite its scarcity in the wild, E. caffer is easily grown from seed and grows well in a protected garden situation.

Encephalartos cerinus is a small cycad with a subterranean stem that may be partly exposed when growing among rocks. Leaves and cones are covered by a dense waxy layer, which is one of the main characteristics used to distinguish it from other closely related cycads.

Encephalartos cupidus is a very attractive, desirable, frost-hardy, dwarf, multi-stemmed cycad with its usually subterranean stem and blue green leaves, suitable for temperate to tropical areas. E. cupidus survives very well in deep soil, full sunlight and is drought-tolerant.

Encephalartos cycadifolius is a medium-sized, single to multi-stemmed cycad that is both frost-tolerant and drought-resistant. It is an Eastern Cape species often confused with other grassland cycads such as E. friderici-guilielmi and E. ghellinckii. While it is easy to germinate the seed, the seedlings are slow-growing and require specialized attention in cultivation.

The Wolkberg cycad is an extraordinarily beautiful species characterized by its striking blue colour. Adding to its attraction is the tendency to bear full crowns of leaves, enhancing the plant's overall visual appeal. This species is exceptionally rare and highly sought-after, and it is reportedly now extinct in the wild, as a result of illegal harvesting for private collections. This species is endemic to South Africa, and known from a very restricted area in the Wolkberg, near Penge, in the Drakensberg in southeastern Limpopo Province.

E ncephalartos dyerianus is a medium-sized, bluish-green cycad with a very dense leaf canopy. This is an extremely rare cycad, and is endemic to South Africa, known from a single location in Limpopo; it grows in open grassland and shrubland on the slopes of low granite hills.

This is a medium-sized to large, bluish-green cycad, which is suited to cool subtropical and temperate regions.

A cycad with dark green, arching, holly-like leaves and striking red cones.

Although Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi experiences harsh growing conditions in its natural habitat, it is very adaptable to different climatic conditions. It is a vigorous grower, easy to cultivate and develops a stout stem. Observed against the clear blue Karoo sky, this is one of the most attractive cycad species.

The Drakensberg cycad should be not be confused with any other species because of its very narrow and exceptionally revolute leaflets, which are unique among the southern African cycads. There are 2 forms of Encephalartos ghellinckii , the highland or 'giant' form, which occurs at altitudes of 1 100–1 800 m in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, and the lowland or 'dwarf' form, which is widespread and is found at lower altitudes of the Drakensberg near the Umkomaas River and in the north of the Eastern Cape.

Encephalartos heenanii is a medium-sized cycad with an erect stem that may become procumbent with age. This cycad is commonly known as the woolly cycad because it produces a thick, woolly layer below the crown of leaves, on the apical part of the caudex. This is a rare cycad that is on the brink of extinction in the wild.

The Venda cycad is an extremely rare and highly sought-after cycad, which is reportedly now extinct in the wild, as a result of illegal harvesting for private collections. This species is endemic to South Africa, and known from a very restricted area in three separate localities in the Soutpansberg region of the Limpopo Province; it grows in open grassland and shrubland on the slopes of low granite hills.

This cycad has been described as one of the most unusual of all the South African species. It has been very over-collected in the past, but sufficient quantities are now available in nurseries to reduce some of the pressure on wild populations.

A small and inconspicuous, clump-forming, evergreen, dioecious, cone-bearing plant, arising from an underground stem, often growing wedged between low rocks, on mountains in Mpumalanga.

This unusual, attractive African cycad (comparable to the Mexican companion Dioon or a Cuban Microcycas ) tolerates both sun and frost, making it a very desirable garden plant. It is threatened in the wild, so please be sure to obtain plants from cultivated stock and reputable suppliers if you wish to grow it.

Encephalartos laevifolius is a tall, slender cycad with even, regular, smooth leafbases. It grows well in full sun and tolerates any soil type, provided the soil is well drained and aerated. It is a relatively slow grower, but very frost-hardy and drought-resistant. Like all cycad species, it prefers moderate watering.

Encephalartos lanatus is normally a medium-sized, single-stemmed plant about 1–1,5 m high. In the garden, it enjoys a position in full sun and is a strong architectural plant that makes a good focal point. E. lanatus is frost-hardy, fire-adapted and drought-resistant.

Encephalartos latifrons is extremely rare and virtually extinct in its natural habitat. It is very attractive with the broadest leaves of all the cycad species.

This cycad is said to be one of the most popular cycads in cultivation, although there is some confusion about its identity. Several populations of what were previously regarded as Encephalartos lebomboensis are now regarded as E. senticosus , including most of those found on the Lebombo Mountains. Encephalartos lebomboensis was first described in 1949 by Dr Inez Verdoorn. Its centre of distribution was the Lebombo Mountains, stretching from northern KwaZulu-Natal through Swaziland and up into Mpumalanga.

This cycad has been described as the hardiest, most drought resistant of the South African species. In the past, many specimens of this cycad were removed from the wild for cultivation. This cycad has been described as the hardiest, most drought resistant of the South African species. In the past, many specimens of this cycad were removed from the wild for cultivation.

Encephalartos longifolius and E. caffer were the first cycads to be scientifically recorded in South Africa as long ago as 1772. During a trip to the Eastern Cape, Swedish botanist, Carl Peter Thunberg, accompanied by Francis Masson, came across E. longifolius growing in the Langkloof.

Encephalartos middelburgensis is a blue-leaved cycad covered with persistent powdery bloom. It thrives in full sunlight and is frost-hardy. It is distinguished within the group of blue-leaved species of northern South Africa by its long, straight leaves with terminal part curving very slightly upwards, with entire leaflets and reddish brown cones with fine brown hairs.

A medium-sized, glossy green cycad, that occurs in the Msinga area in KwaZulu-Natal; it grows in short grassland on steep north-facing slopes, often suckering from the base to form clumps. This is a rare cycad that is on the brink of extinction in the wild.

Encephalartos natalensis, a "living fossil", is a quick-growing handsome giant tree cycad for your garden. This frost-hardy cycad prefers subtropical to warm or hot temperate climates.

Encephalartos ngoyanus is a small cycad with a subterranean stem that is kept underground by contractile roots. This cycad rarely produces suckers, unless growing in rocky crevices where the stems are forced above the rock, which induces suckering.

A stunning, desirable, fast-growing cycad, with beautiful, twisted, grey-blue leaves; illegal collecting of wild plants, because it is in high demand as a garden ornamental, has driven this species to extinction in the wild.

The graceful crown of dark green glossy leaves, vigorous growth and strong stem of Encephalartos paucidentatus makes this one of the most striking of all cycads. Regarded as one of the most handsome species for cultivation, it is unfortunately often illegally harvested in the wild.

Encephalartos princeps is a lovely blue-leaved cycad that responds well to full sun and tolerates any soil type, provided that the soil is well drained and aerated. It is a relatively slow grower, and is frost-hardy and drought-resistant. Like all cycad species, it prefers moderate watering.

Encephalartos senticosus is a quick-growing, glossy dark green giant cycad for your ornamental garden.

As a garden subject, Encephalartos transvenosus , with its glossy dark-green leaves, is one of the most spectacular and tallest of all cycad species. It is also one of the fastest growing, the seedlings growing rapidly and developing into an attractive garden plant with 1-m long leaves in four to five years.

Encephalartos trispinosus is an excellent garden subject in hot, dry climates and areas which experience frost. The plants do not require a great deal of water once established. Sunny situations, rockeries and desert gardens are ideal situations for this species.

Encephalartos villosus is one of the most common ornamental dwarf cycads in southern Africa. It is shade-loving and produces leaves which spread out gracefully, with glossy dark green leaflets. This species is a fast grower and in 5 to 8 years will develop into a substantial plant.

Encephalartos woodii is famous for being extinct in nature, and for the fact that there is no known female specimen on Earth.